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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.
—1 Peter 1:7
How would your life be different if you looked at the oppositions in your life as opportunities? What if what you see as your biggest barrier to success is really your biggest blessing. Peter said that God is using every adversity that comes your way to refine you as a priceless possession more precious than gold.
What does he mean by "the trials of your faith"? Faith is the Word; the Word is faith. They are synonymous with each other. "So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God" (Romans 10:17). No Word, no faith; no faith, no Word. The trial of your faith, what is being tested, is the Word that's deposited on the inside of you.
When Peter faced the greatest test of his life, Jesus said to him, "Simon, Simon, behold, Satan hath desired to have you, that he may sift you as wheat: but I have prayed for thee, that thy faith fail not" (Luke 22:31–32). Simon means "flesh, weak water," and it is evident that Jesus knew that Peter would fail in his flesh. But Jesus declared that the Word activated on the inside of him—faith—would not fail.
Peter did deny Christ, but his faith did not fail. What God told him in the light, he remembered in the darkness. Peter remained true and became the anointed preacher on Pentecost and leader of the early church.
For twenty-three years I have taken a Word every single day and deposited it on the inside. And that Word is what doesn't fail. That Word doesn't return void, but it accomplishes God's pleasure (Isaiah 55:11). You cannot fail if you tap into the faith inside of you.
Here's what you need to remember when the enemy comes at you with adversity. Read the Parable of the Sower in Mark 4. The whole Kingdom of God is based on this chapter, so if you get this one parable, it's the master key that unlocks the door. Jesus said the Word is sown into four types of ground or heart conditions. When the Word is sown, Satan comes immediately to steal the Word away. So when the trial or trauma testing comes, why are you shocked by what you're going through? It's showing you that you have revelation from God. It shows that you have a Word. Use the Word; don't just apply it. Jesus is praying over you, that the Word will not fail you (Hebrews 7:24–25). Walk through the darkness with the Word He gives you in the light.
Related Texts: Psalm 32:6–7; 37:24, 39; 46:1–3; Matthew 6:25–34; John 14:27; Romans 8:28; 2 Corinthians 1:3–4 |