Daily Devotional "The Joy Of Anticipated Reward" Archives

Daily Devotional “Proving Your Faith”

Daily Devotional “Proving Your Faith”
Be different!
August 04, 2023

“In this you greatly rejoice, even though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been distressed by various trials, that the proof of your faith, being more precious than gold which is perishable, even though tested by fire, may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ” (1 Peter. 1:6-7).

Proven faith brings joy and confidence.

Although some Christians fear that trials and persecutions can only rob them of their joy, Peter taught just the opposite.

In fact, he said that joy comes not in spite of trouble but because of trouble.

That’s because it’s easy to lose your joy if you doubt your salvation, but when your faith has been tested and proven to be genuine, doubts will disappear and you’ll have joy and assurance.

Every trial you face is designed to test and perfect your faith, and God carefully controls their parameters to accomplish that purpose.

Verse 6 specifies that they are temporary, necessary, distressing, and multi-faceted, but they should never diminish your joy.

He won’t allow you to undergo more than you can bear (1 Corinthians. 10:13).

Peter used the analogy of an assayer or goldsmith to illustrate the purging process that produces proven faith (v. 7).

The fire symbolizes trials and the gold symbolizes your faith.

Just as the refiner’s fire burns away the dross and leaves only pure gold, so God purges you through trials to reveal the purity of your faith.

That’s an appropriate analogy because gold was the most precious of metals and the standard for all monetary transactions.

But as valuable as gold is, proven faith is infinitely more precious.

Gold is temporal and perishable; proven faith is eternal.

So don’t fear trials when they come your way.

Welcome them as opportunities to prove that your faith is real.

Be encouraged that “after you have suffered a little while, the God of all grace, who called you to His eternal glory in Christ, will Himself perfect, confirm, strengthen and establish you” (1 Peter. 5:10).

Prayer

If you are currently going through a time of testing, ask God for the grace and wisdom to pass the test. Thank Him in advance for the joy and confidence you’ll gain when the test is over.

Daily Devotional “The Joy Of Anticipated Reward”

Be different!

August 03, 2023

“That the proof of your faith . . . may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ” (1 Peter. 1:7).

Your future reward is directly related to your present service.

The joy you experience after your faith has been tested and proven genuine is largely due to your present blessings and assurance of salvation.

But there’s a future aspect as well: the joy of anticipating the reward you’ll receive from Jesus when you see Him face to face and hear “Well done, good and faithful servant! . . . Come and share your master’s happiness!” (Matthew. 25:21, NIV).

Peter described it as the “praise and glory and honor [you’ll receive] at the revelation of Jesus Christ” (1 Peter. 1:7).

“Praise” in that text speaks of verbal commendation.

To receive “glory” is to be made like Christ.

Jesus is the incarnation of God’s glory (John 1:14) and “we know that, when He appears, we shall be like Him, because we shall see Him just as He is” (1 John 3:2).

Paul spoke of those who “by perseverance in doing good seek for glory and honor and immortality” (Romans. 2:7).

As a result they will receive what they seek (v. 10).

Peter probably used “honor” as a synonym for rewards, which God will grant to all who faithfully serve Him.

I believe those rewards are various capacities for heavenly service and are directly related to the believer’s service in this life.

Jesus said, “Behold, I am coming quickly, and My reward is with Me, to render to every man according to what he has done” (Revelation. 22:12).

Paul said, “He who plants and he who waters are one; but each will receive his own reward according to his own labor” (1 Corinthians. 3:8, emphasis added).

God alone is worthy of praise, glory, and honor, but He will give you all three because you’ll be in the image of Jesus Christ—sinless and fully glorified (1 John 3:2).

Until that time, “watch yourselves, that you might not lose what we have accomplished, but that you may receive a full reward” (2 John 8).

Prayer

Praise the Lord for the joy of anticipating your future reward.