In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while you may have had to suffer grief in all kinds of trials. 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.

In the previous verse, Peter speaks of the great inheritance that is kept in heaven for us as we believe and live for God. But then he prepares the reader for tests and trials in their faith. Every trial and difficulty that comes our way can serve as a test that causes us to draw near to God and learn from the point of adversity. The refinement of our faith though, is not automatic. We must come to Him, trust in Him and grow in our faith through the trial. There are many who would wilt and fall away if they are not determined in their faith. That is why Peter uses the phrase, “proved genuine.”

This refinement of our faith is more valuable than gold, because gold will perish. The gift of faith and the opportunity to bring glory to Jesus Christ is what will last forever and will be proved truly valuable on the Day of accounting.

I am going through various trials right now that have caused me to pray in ways that I’ve never prayed before. This is a good season for me because I am reminded of how much I really need God’s help with the challenges that I’m facing. It is absolutely necessary for me to come to God in prayer and cry out for His grace, His protection, and His direction. He is faithful to answer as I call on Him in prayer with a pure and honest heart.

The answer often will be to come to Him and be rich in prayer, rich in His Word, and available to Him in serving the people He wants me to serve. As one of my mentors said years ago: "Read yourself full, pray yourself hot, pour yourself out."

Lord Jesus, I pray that I would be able to go through this refinement time with a genuine and tried faith that will be stretched and matured by the heat of the trials. I set my heart to be filled with your Word and rich in prayer. I cry out to you for your grace, your mercy, and your wisdom. Fill me with your Holy Spirit this day that I may be anointed to hear your voice and speak your healing words to others.