NOVEMBER 26
These trials will show that your faith is genuine. It is being tested as fire tests and purifies gold—though your faith is far more precious than mere gold. (1 Peter 1:7 NLT)
How do you respond when you’re facing a trial? While some people resist having their faith tested, they often overlook how trials make us stronger. A faith that has been tested is a faith that can be trusted.
We see this truth lived out when King Nebuchadnezzar, the most powerful man in his era and King of Babylon, conquered the tribe of Judah. This evil king captured Judah’s best and brightest young men. The king commissioned a gold statue that was ninety feet tall and nine feet wide and invited every government leader, advisor, judge, and magistrate to come to the dedication.
When everyone heard the sound of music, they were commanded to bow down and worship the golden statue. Anyone who didn’t would be thrown into a blazing furnace. So when the music started, everyone bowed low, except for three faith-filled teenagers who continued standing tall. So the king had the furnace heated up to seven times its normal temperature and threw them in.
These brave young men didn’t bend. They didn’t bow. And because of God, they didn’t burn. By the grace of God, the boys didn’t die, and they didn’t even smell like smoke. God reveals his power in many places, but you’ll know his presence best in the fire.
Just as these believers were not in the fire alone, neither are you. If you are facing a challenge today, remember that God is with you and he is building your faith. A faith that is tested is a faith that can be trusted.
Power Lift
I choose to thank you today, Lord, for the trials in my life. I don’t like them and how they make me feel, but I trust that you are using them to make me stronger.
Groeschel, Craig. Daily Power: 365 Days of Fuel for Your Soul. Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan, 2017. Print.