Our Fiery Trials (By Gary Patterson)
"Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery trial when it comes upon you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you." (1 Peter 4:12)
"At least five fires across the Los Angeles area, including one in Hollywood Hills, have scorched more than 45 square miles and put roughly 179,000 people under evacuation orders, according to officials. Five people are dead. More than 1,300 structures have already burned and over 60,000 structures are threatened as strong winds fan blazes in densely populated parts of Southern California, officials said." (CBS News)
Our hearts and prayers go out to the families who have lost loved ones, homes, businesses, in these horrible destructive fires sweeping through Los Angeles County. It is hard to imagine such loss.
As I watched the news, and viewed the footage of this mass destruction, it came to my mind the analogy of fire and how it relates to "trials." In our text, Peter writes to his readers, concerning a "fiery trial" which is coming to test their faith in God. Of course Peter is talking about persecution. When he wrote this letter, the Roman Empire was experiencing increasing hostility towards Christians. We remember that the emperor Nero brutally persecuted Christians during this time.
What Peter said to His readers then, he says to us today. Don't be surprised at the suffering you may have to endure in this life. There is no guarantee that we will make it through this life without suffering some how. As Christians, whether it is for standing up for our faith, or battling some illness, or terminal disease. It could be because of natural disasters, such as these fires in California. There are many things we may be called to endure, that will be a testing of our faith, and dependence upon God. Remember the three Hebrew boys that were thrown into the fiery furnace by King Nebuchanezzer in Daniel 3:8-25. The Lord was with them in the fire.
That promise is for us today. No matter, how hot or fierce our fiery trial is, the Lord will be with us, through it all.
the Lord is your shade at your right hand;
the sun will not harm you by day,
nor the moon by night.
The Lord will keep you from all harm—
he will watch over your life;
the Lord will watch over your coming and going." (Psalm 121:5-8)
Yes, here in this life, our fiery trials, may take much from us. They may even take our lives. But if we have placed our lives, our souls, in the hands of Jesus Christ, our Savior, and Lord, we have eternal security, that no one, or no circumstance can take away. (Romans 8:37-39) GP
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