REJOICE IN FIERY TRIAL.

*WISDOM FOR TODAY.*

*REJOICE IN FIERY TRIAL*

*Scripture Treasure.*

1 Pet 4:12-13 *Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened unto you:*

*But rejoice, inasmuch as ye are partakers of Christ's sufferings; that, when his glory shall be revealed, ye may be glad also with exceeding joy.*

*Insight and Highlight.*

When the unusual happens, rejoice.

Glory in tribulations, rejoice in ordeal.

Romans 8:17 *And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together.*

*Scripture Commentaries.*

The Apostle Peter warns us of some unusual things that will happen in the form of a fiery trial.

A trial can be very challenging itself. Its

fiery nature can make it more of an ordeal.

A fiery trial is a painful or horrific ordeal or experience. It is usually serious and often long-lasting. It can be an ordeal, often in the form of a protracted illness resulting in a painfully tough and harrowing experience.

It could be in the form of a tragedy with painstaking stigma, which is often difficult to go away.

We will be looking at this fiery trial ordeal in two ways.

First, the ordeal faced by Christians as fiery trials, as referred to by the Apostle Peter.

Second, the ordeal Christians face because we live in an imperfect world.

Today, we will look at the ordeal faced by Christians.

Peter says the strange ordeal is a *.....fiery trial, which is to try you,....'*

The trial for the Christian is not just a trial but a fiery one.

A fiery trial indicates that those who are of Christ will have a life of sorrow and persecution.

A fiery trial can also be in the form of character/personality test. A trial that tests our temperament/temper. A trial that would ensue to provoke our very strong feelings.

This trial is to strengthen our faith.

It is to prove us as it would turn to our good.

The fiery trial will come to everyone God will try.

Paul, in his missionary journey to Asia Minor, had warned saying *'...we must through much tribulation enter into the kingdom of God.*, Acts 14:22.

God says we should not be surprised about this ordeal that will happen to us. They should not appear strange to us as if something unusual had happened. He says we should rejoice

They are not to be treated as strange but familiar when they happen to us.

We must learn to accustom ourselves to it.

How do we acclimatize ourselves to these ordeals and count what is often unbearable as part of our calling?

To accept such ordeals as usual and common to us is to prove our that we are true sons of Christ

We must not take any ordeal as if some strange thing happened to us, but as what we had expected would happen.

This shows we are braced up for any situation, come what may, and our faith is strengthen enough to face it.

Nothing ordeal should take us by surprise.

As a result, we will rejoice at every ordeal because it happened because we *'...are partakers of Christ's sufferings; that, when his glory shall be revealed,....'*

The rejoicing is not just momentarily, but we must be *....glad also with exceeding joy.*

This is the big test for the Christian to rejoice in ordeal/tribulation.

How do you rejoice in the midst of an ordeal? Worse still when some people are making jest of your faith and questioning whether you are truly of God or not?

A possible answers that people will say what they will say, but it remains *.... a faithful saying: For if we be dead with him, we shall also live with him:*

*lf we endure, we will also reign with him.....*, 2 Tim 2:11-12.

When the unusual happens, rejoice.

Rejoice in tribulation. Rejoice in ordeal.

You have just passed a test of the trial of your faith!

Rom 5:3-4 *And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience;*

*And patience, experience; and experience, hope:*

*Remorse corner.*

We must pray for grace to preserve and endure in the midst of any affliction. This is the true test of our sonship. If we do not, but

*'.....disown him, he will also disown us*

*Call to Word action.*

2 Tim 2:12 *If we suffer, we shall also reign with him: if we deny him, he also will deny us:*

*The Christian clarion duty.*

Job 2: 10 *'.....What? shall we receive good at the hand of God, and shall we not receive evil? In all this did not Job sin with his lips.*

*Prayer.*

Lord, keep away from me any ordeal that l am not able to bear.

Please grant me the grace, perseverance, and faith to overcome any fiery trial in Jesus name.

Good morning all, and have a blessed day today.

God bless you.