THINK IT NOT STRANGE

We read in 1 Peter 4:12, “Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened unto you…” It is a settled fact that the fiery trial will come, and it is sent to try us, or by definition, to test, discipline, and prove. The admonition is that we should not be taken by surprise, nor “think it strange” or be in consternation that such a thing would befall us. May we not be ashamed if we suffer as a Christian (vs. 16), nor think it to be a disgrace, but rather may we praise the Lord in the midst of sufferings; rejoice as we obey Peter’s admonition: (vs. 19) “let them that suffer according to the will of God commit the keeping of their souls to Him in well doing, as unto a faithful Creator.”

Granted, not all suffering is for the glory of God, and not all is according to His will, but the message running all throughout this first Epistle of Peter is that fiery trials are coming to test our faith, and we are not to be taken unawares and caught unprepared in the Spirit. To quote an old adage: “To be forewarned is to be forearmed.” We cope more gracefully with that which is anticipated.

What about Psalm 91 that promises divine protection and safety from harm for those who abide in the secret place of the Most High? Do we have a conflict here between the fiery trials of 1 Peter and the protection spoken of in this Psalm? Is God capricious? Certainly not, quite to the contrary. He never said there would be no floods or fires; He only promised that IN the flood and IN the fire, the life of Christ in us would be safeguarded. To the trusting soul, these earthly afflictions are TESTS, not catastrophes. Viewed in true perspective, there is no conflict between 1 Peter and Psalm 91. Not only do they not conflict, they complement each other.

Our resting place and comfort is in “the shadow of the Almighty.” Our peace is a redemptive provision. Christ is our sure defense and we are upheld by His power, both without and within. For many an “outer battle” is won by an “inner strength” and that inner strength is oneness with the Victor, Jesus, our Lord. There is no fiery furnace where He is not in the midst. There is no night in which His light is not shining within the heart of His trusting children.

We are privileged to bear His Name and share His reproach. In everything, whether abounding or being abased, there should be a song of praise rising from the thankful heart. It is difficult to imagine a situation where the grace of God does not outweigh the severest trial. Happy is the one who has learned in everything to give thanks, knowing that in some inscrutable way, every test is in the will of God.

To find a place of rest in turmoil is to understand Jesus asleep in the boat in the storm at sea. The only reason He needed to still the storm was to silence the fears of the disciples. The storm was not disturbing Him. His was the greater peace, resting IN the storm, than that which the disciples experienced following the “miracle.” We need so much to realize that whatever befalls us within divine providence really does not need altering. It is we who need to be changed within, not so much the circumstances without.

If we ever come to the place where we have as much trust in the Father as Jesus had, storms will no longer frighten us. The destructive power of our enemy is dissipated by the love of God. Nothing touches the child of God except by His permissive will, so, “Cast all your care on Him, for He cares for you.

Heavenly Father, we bow our hearts in Your presence knowing fully our unworthiness, but casting ourselves upon Your mercy. As You have asked us to cast our cares and our grief upon You as well as our sins, we do so, remembering that Christ bore our sins, and our sorrows. Be near, we pray, to all who are experiencing deep trials and testings. Protect those in places of great danger. Lift the heavy-hearted and grant peace and joy to those who carry burdens too great to be shared with even the dearest friend. You are our source of strength and help, and we rest ourselves and our loved-ones in Your loving care. You have never failed to support us through even the severest storms, and You will not fail us now. No circumstance, however threatening, can disturb the unshakable truth of Your faithfulness. What more can we need for peace of heart and for a song of rejoicing!

We praise and magnify Your Name today and forever, and offer our hearts in loving, trustful adoration. We bow in willing submission to Your divine authority, desiring that Your will be done in earth as in heaven, and that Your will be done is us, Your children, because You have loved us with an everlasting love and bound us to Yourself in the bonds of Calvary’s Love. Sustain us when we falter, and forgive our sins as we praise You from hearts overflowing with gratitude, through Jesus Christ our Lord and Saviour, in whose Name we pray, Amen.

Frances Roberts