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Theme: God Does Not Forsake His People
Text: “Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened unto you: But rejoice, inasmuch as ye are partakers of Christ’s sufferings; that, when his glory shall be revealed, ye may be glad also with exceeding joy.” – 1 Peter 4:12, 13.
Comment: The truth is that all true Christians must go through a fiery trial. These are tests of one’s faith; they purge the person of the lusts of the flesh, inculcates in him godly virtues, enables one to study the Scriptures and to understand them and increases the spirit of God in one. They give one experience and establishes one’s faith the more. (Romans 5:3-5; 1 Peter 1:7; Job 23:10-12) When one continues to trust in God He will help the believer to go through the trials or whatever temptations he is facing. St. Paul said, it is God Almighty “Who delivered us from so great a death, and doth deliver: in whom we trust that he will yet deliver us.” (2 Corinthians 1:10) Moreover, St. Peter, exhorted us on the importance of faith and patience in the midst of tribulations. (1 Peter 5:6-9) Our Lord Jesus Christ drove home the point that God will always preserve us no matter what the devil may do or plans to do, when he stated: “My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me: And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand. My Father, which gave them me, is greater than all; and no man is able to pluck them out of my Father’s hand.” – John 10:27-29.