“Tempted and Tried”
The first letter of the apostle Peter was written to Christians who were suffering for their faith: Suffering is actually the theme of this letter, and Peter wrote to encourage them in their faith even as they found themselves “distressed by various trials”(v. 6). At the beginning of verse 6, he wrote, “in this you greatly rejoice.” To what was he referring? I would like for you to consider what Peter said to these “distressed” saints as they struggled with their “various trials.” My goal is for each of us, like these Christians of whom we read, might be able to “greatly rejoice” in spite of our trials in this life. I would like for you to meditate upon four things which Peter addresses:
a. The nature of our trials.
b. The necessity of our trials.
c. The strength for our trials.