Refined Faith

1 Peter 3:6-7 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.
 
JESUS taught us to pray, “Your will be done on earth…deliver us from evil.”  (Matthew 6:10, 13) What do you think about when you pray this? Do you focus on God’s will to care for you and loved ones, to save your friends and to expand the church? Do you trust God to keep you from the devil’s temptations?
   And what about this? Do you also consider God’s will may be to cause trial and suffering against your church and even you? Trials for the church was God’s will for the churches of Asia Minor. This is one reason for Peter’s letter. He wants the church to stay steadfast and even greatly rejoice as they know trials and suffering. These new believers in Jesus as risen Lord and Savior needed to understand they were not the victims of bad luck or some random act from their enemies. Neither was their suffering was a random idea from an uncaring God. They were under God’s will to suffer grief in all kinds of trials. Why? The suffering was so their faith may be proved genuine. The trials are a refining fire, purifying and strengthening hearts to greater faith. 
   The LORD proclaimed he would refine his elect: Zechariah 13:9 This third I will bring into the fire; I will refine them like silver and test them like gold. They will call on my name, and I will answer them; I will say, ‘They are my people,’ and they will say, ‘The Lord is our God.’”
   The third who will be refined are those God saves from destruction. You in Jesus’ church are saved from destruction into a pure, strong faith. As you pray God’s will to be done on earth, know his will is that you are completely committed to him. His will is not for his people to be complacent, complaining and unresponsive in their faith. He proved that in the Exodus journey.
   His will is you have a deep, active faith that will even find joy in all kinds of trials. One of the great testimonies of today’s persecuted, faithful Christians is the joy they experience in their deepened relationship with God. The trials are one way God refines his church into a true, eternal faith that will never be destroyed.
   The trials prepare you for a glorious future with God. A refined faith results in praise, glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed. The words “is revealed” translates to “apocalypse” in reference to Jesus’ return. As Jesus’ church, refined through trials into a secure faith, you know one thing for sure: On Judgment Day, you will praise, glorify and honor God because you have passed through the trials and into his glory. 
   Yes, it is good and right to pray that God’s will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Anticipate his will could bring you into a refining fire to strengthen your faith. Resist temptation to run from trials and suffering. Trust God and be prepared for all things that come your way under the Sovereign LORD.