Day 52
Fiery
Trial
1 Peter 4:12 (NKJV) Beloved,
do not think it strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as
though some strange thing happened to you.
The potter that forms
clay periodically examines his work. Upon examination, the potter makes
corrections in the clay to bring it up to his design standards. Likewise,
throughout your journey to knowing God, the molding process you will go
through, has God ordered circumstances (fiery trials) that are intended to
increase your trust (strengthen your faith) and knowledge of Him. Fiery trials
start small and become larger as your trust in God increases. For example,
let’s look at the life of David.
David the youngest
son of Jesse, was approximately 10 to 15 years old when he was anointed by
Samuel to replace Saul as the King of Israel.
In every season of David’s life, he walked through fiery trials that
increased his faith and knowledge of God. His first recorded trial came
defending his father’s sheep against a lion and a bear which gave him the
strength, courage, and knowledge of God to face and defeat Goliath the
giant. After defeating Goliath David
faced years of stress hiding from Saul, while leading a band of discontented
men that at times wanted to kill him. Every fiery test David faced while
uniting Israel or conquering enemies, increased his trust and knowledge of God
and gave him the strength and courage to do great things.
Starting with a lion
and a bear, God increased David’s trials to reveal Himself and mold David into
the second King of Israel. You may be in a trial, coming out of a trial, or
resting before the next trial. However, always remember, you are being formed
into the image of Jesus Christ. Each trial will increase your trust and
knowledge of God and give you the strength and courage to do great things for
God.
Ending Thoughts
Think about the first
trial you walked through and how it increased your knowledge and trust in God.
