More Precious Than Gold

Posted on 10/19/2011 by goodnewsfromadistantland — Leave a comment

Recently, I have been going through several trials and struggles. We’ve been down-sizing, moving to a smaller place, dealing with distressing issues with relatives, and coping with an illness.

Struggles and trials are a normal part of life. We all experience our daily share of misery, whether it be small or big. But sometimes there are seasons of trials that truly test our faith in Yahuwah Elohim [the Hebrew name for the LORD God].

My frequent cry is the same as King David’s: “Have mercy upon me, O Yahuwah [the LORD], for I am in trouble: my eye is consumed with grief….” (Psalms 31:9).

The Trial of Our Faith

My trials are nothing compared to many others. Yet everyone’s trials are very personal, unique, and burdensome.

But what do the Scriptures say about trials? In 1Peter 1:7, it reads: “… the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold.”

one-gold-coin-stack That verse reminds me that my faith is “more precious than gold!” This is so true!! Our faith is one of our most precious possessions! We should cling to our faith like treasured gold, and never, never abandon it!! And, our faith is very precious also to God because it is when we are walking by faith, that we are pleasing to our heavenly Father!

That verse in 1Peter could also be telling us that the trial itself is more precious than gold!

There is something very special and very valuable about the trials of our faith. The prophet Job knew the importance of trials for he said: When He [Yahuwah ] has tried me, I shall come forth as gold (Job 23:10).

Trials of our faith work in us to bring us forth as gold – gold that is precious and valuable to our heavenly Father! We need to understand this and embrace this. Trials are good for us! They work in us an exceeding and eternal weight of glory! (2Corinthians 4:17).

But Wait A Minute!

But, wait a minute! That’s easy to say, but it is not easy to do!

I confess — I do not like trials!! I would rather avoid trials!

Wanting to avoid trials is very normal for anyone. But the apostle Peter tells us more about trials:

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 you are partakers of Messiah’s sufferings; that, when His glory shall be revealed, you may be glad also with exceeding joy. (1Peter 4:12-13)

As this passage tells us, Peter encourages us to look at trials as things that are not strange, but as things to be rejoiced over. Yes, trials are certainly a normal part of life! But rejoice over our trials?!?

Oh Father in heaven, help me rejoice in my trials!

For Believers, trials are opportunities — opportunities to walk in the example of our Saviour. Trials help our endurance so that we may become a partaker of Messiah’s sufferings. Trials are our entrance into the school of endurance, learning to endure as Messiah did. Such opportunities are to be rejoiced over!

Ouch! That kind of rejoicing is NOT easy!

Do I rejoice in my trials? No. I am not there yet.

At least I am a little bit better about not complaining as much. I am getting better about maintaining a patient and quiet attitude through trials. Patience and quietness – these are big helps for enduring trials! I am also learning the importance of the lessons and examples from the children of Israel when they were in the wilderness:

Now all these things happened unto them (the children of Israel) for examples: and they are written for our admonition, upon whom the ends of the world are come. (1Corinthians 10:11)

What the children of Israel went through are lessons and warnings for us today. One lesson I have to review often, is in verse 10 of this passage:

Neither murmur ye, as some of them also murmured, and were destroyed of the destroyer. (1Corinthians 10:10)

Murmuring. Complaining. These are definitely not pleasing to Father!

So how should we look at our trials?

By Father’s mercy and grace, we need to see that our trials are opportunities for growth — opportunities for purifying us, refining us, polishing us, and ‘bringing us forth as gold!’

Sometines trials are due to Yahuwah’s loving correction and chastening (Proverbs 3:11-12). Some trials reflect the heavenly Father’s nature, who is like a loving, earthly father who disciplines his own children. Though trials can be painful and agonizing, we must maintain our hope that our heavenly Father is working out His purposes to conform us into the image of His Son.

As we saw in Be Ye Therefore…, our heavenly Father corrects us at times, for the purpose of keeping us on His path, and behaving according to His ‘House Rules‘ (see Psalms 89:26-33). It is these kind of trials that are meant to get our attention, so that we will make adjustments and return to our obedience to Father.

Lack of obedience to Father’s Word will surely result in a trial of some sort. So we need to be thoughtful, and deliberately seek to adjust our ways, and be repentant (Psalms 119:59-60,67).

When Our Faith is Being Tested

When we go through trials, our faith is being tested! It is a test of our faith and trust in Yahuwah [the LORD].

The testing of our faith is meant to strengthen, refine, and purify us. Yahuwah uses testings to work His purposes in us so that our faith will be found unto praise, honour, and glory at the appearing of Yahushua Messiah (1Peter 1:7).

When going through an adversity, that is the time to make sure we maintain our obedience to God’s written Word, and if necessary, make any needed adjustments in order to be obedient to Father’s Word.

As always, we need to hold on to our precious faith with all our might whenever going through a trial! Storing up His Word in our heart will help us, and strengthen our resolve during a trial. In the midst of our trials, boldly declaring our faith in Yahuwah, trusting Father’s promises for His children, will help us to endure!

What is our hope in the midst of our trials? That we will maintain our faithfulness to Father and come forth as gold — a glorious vessel, fit for the Master’s use!

Let us be as King David who cried out to Yahuwah in the midst of his trials:

I cried unto Yahuwah [the LORD] with my voice; with my voice unto Yahuwah …. I poured out my complaint before Him; I showed before Him my trouble. (Psalms 142:1,2)

Father is not surprised or offended when we complain to Him. But He alone, and not others, should be the one who hears our complaints! He is the only one who can adjust our attitudes, and give us the grace and strength to honour Him in our adversity.

When we cry out to Yahuwah for help, then He can work on our behalf — it is then that our enemies shall turn back! We can be confident of this, because “God is for me” (Psalms 56:9).

“When a man is not troubled, it is easy for him to be fervent and devout. But … if he bears up patiently in time of adversity, there is hope for great progress. Trials are often more beneficial for you, than if you had things always as you would wish.” — Thomas, à Kempis

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“We must get away from the idea that deliverance from trials is the highest form of spiritual blessings. We learn more in a few days in the fiery furnace than we would learn in years out of it.” — J. Oswald Sanders

Yahuwah is For Me

Yahuwah, our heavenly Father, is working His purposes in us, working what is good for us (Romans 8:28). Father is always good to us! His love and mercy surround us in countless ways.

Father is intensely interested in His children, on every level! He desires to “show Himself strong on the behalf of them whose hearts are perfect toward [completely for] Him” (2Chronicles 16:9).

Let us go to Him, seek Him, and be faithful to Him! Let us love Him by calling on Him, trusting Him, obeying Him, and thanking Him, even when the trials seem painfully overwhelming (1Thessalonians 5:18)!

I have learned that Yahuwah Elohim [the LORD God] is on my side. He wants to help me! He has delivered me out of a multitude of blunders, offenses, trials, and hardships! He has worked on my behalf — even when I did not deserve one ounce of mercy!

And Yahuwah will do the same for you! Just ask Him!

Remember: with His help and grace, . . . the trials of our faith are working for us — to bring us forth as gold!

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