OPEN HEAVENS DAILY DEVOTIONAL WRITTEN BY PASTOR E.A ADEBOYE

 

DATE : SUNDAY 29 MAY 2015

THEME : THE TRIAL OF FAITH

Memorise:

Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to

try you, as though some strange thing happened unto you: 1 Peter

4:12

Read : 1 Peter 1:1-7

1 PETER, an apostle of Jesus Christ, to the strangers scattered

throughout Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia,

2 Elect according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, through

sanctification of the Spirit, unto obedience and sprinkling of the

blood of Jesus Christ: Grace unto you, and peace, be multiplied.

3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which

according to his abundant mercy hath begotten us again unto a

lively hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead,

4 To an inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and that fadeth

not away, reserved in heaven for you,

5 Who are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation

ready to be revealed in the last time.

6 Wherein ye greatly rejoice, though now for a season, if need be,

ye are in heaviness through manifold temptations:

7 That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of

gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto

praise and honour and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ:

Message;

Faith, by its very nature, must be tried, and the real trial of faith is

not that we find it difficult to trust God, but that Gods character

has to be cleared on our own minds. Faith in its actual working

out has to go through spells of isolation. Never confuse the trial of

faith with the ordinary discipline of life. Much that we call the trial

of faith is the inevitable result of being alive. Faith in the Bible is

faith in God against everything that contradicts Him, I will remain

true to God's character whatever He may do. Through He saly me,

yet will I trust Him this is the most sublime utterance of faith.

Trials of faith are difficult to bear; for they cause heaviness or

depression of the mind,( Hebrews 10:32 ). Why art thou cast down,

O my soul! And why art thou disquieted within me? Is often the

language of a child of God. But ought he ever to be cast down?

Ought he not be superior to the trials of life, and to soar above

them as on eagles wings? No; Christianity is not Stoicism, and , if

a believer does not feel his troubles, there would cease to be such,

and it would not affect their purpose and design. While, he does

not yield to a spirit of dejection, or allow it to overcome him, he

must feel when in the furnace of trial even as did our Lord Himself.

In the presence of others, however, he should endeavour to be

cheerful, and the most so if he occupies a public position in the

church, so that he doesn't discourage those around him. When

Joseph's brethren appeared before him, he felt deep emotions, and

could scarcely restrain himself. He left them, 0therefore, that he

might weep in secret before God, and then he returned, relieved of

the oppressive load ( Genesis 43:30-31 ).

"Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to

try you, as though some strange thing happened unto you:"

1 Peter 4:12

Trials of faith should be endured because they are temporary.

Trials are not supposed to be permanent fixtures in life, they are

for a season. A day adversity comes, when darkness intercepts

the skies, when the storm sets in on every side, when not a glean

of light shines upon the path you tread; and then, perhaps, you

hastily concluded that it will always be so. But no; sorrow

endures for the night, but joy comes in the morning. It is only for a

while that the trials lasts, and before long there is an opening in

the clouds, the Suns bright beams burst through them again, and

you are filled with hope and joy. There are some trials, which are

life-long on their effects, and can never be forgotten, like a deep

wound in the flesh which, though healed, leaves a scar which must

be carried to the grave. But the longest trials, and those which

leave the deepest wounds, are only for a season the season of our

earthly life, and Ina brighter sphere we shall forget them all, or

remember them only as the wounded soldier remembers what he

has passed through when he returns victoriously from the field of

battle. May you receive strength to bear your trials and to

overcome them all in Jesus name.

Prayer Point :

Father, Please don't let me fail in the trials of life in Jesus name.

BIBLE IN ONE YEAR : 2 Chronicles 5:2-7:3 and Proverbs 31:1-15

AUTHOR : Pst E. A ADEBOYE