6. In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while you may have had to suffer grief in all kinds of trials.  7. These have come so that your faith-- of greater worth than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire--may be proved genuine and may result in praise, glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed.

Peter reminded God’s people of some things since they were going through suffering. First, he wanted them to recognize suffering is temporary.   

This was also a main theme of the book of Ecclesiastes. Life is like a vapor. You see it and then it is gone into the air. From God's perspective it is hard to imagine why we give so much attention to the things of this world which is short lived both its pleasure and its pain. This is all we know. That does not mean we ought not to enjoy things here. Nor does it mean we ought to live lives accepting discomforts and difficulties. It means we ought not to lose the perspective of eternity when we are wrapped around by the temporary. We can face suffering by looking forward to life and joy with God forever.    

Secondly, suffering is a means of proving faith and is a tool for character building. Think of the training that many of our service men and women go through in order to prepare for the military. Some of the exercises they go through seem senseless. Except when one learns obedience without question in boot camp, they don't have to sit and analyze every movement when their commanding officer gives them an order in battle or warfare.     

We are called to a spiritual battle.  Satan and his evil forces, principalities, and powers use all types of deception, discouragement, disease. The advantage is that God knows and is the one in whom our victory and strength is placed even through it is hard. We are victorious as we obey and continue in Him. It is His promise.      

There is no question as to who will win, but during the battles we do not always understand the reason for some of our training and we do not understand where we always fits in the bigger picture. That is where being obedient and trusting in the one who called us into His service is all we need to keep going. Peter wanted them to know this.

Gold must be tried, tested, and purified with fire so it can be stronger, purer and firmer. Fire burns away the crud and impurities; so do trials in our lives. When the heart is too attached to the reputation, to success, to riches, to health, to family, to jobs, to positions, and to possessions, there needs to be fire to resort our priorities. This is so we can see Jesus only.

Application:   Keep this thought before you today.   The gift of God’s Son, the eternal hope renewed in His resurrection, the presence of His Spirit, the salvation which is already ours, these gifts are ours forever and ought to fill our lives with perpetual praise.

Prayer:   Great is Thy Faithfulness Lord!   This I know and hang on to during times of trial.