Get Real October 19 Devotional
October 19, 2024
1 PETER 1:7; 4:10 | 7 so that the genuineness of your faith—being more precious than gold that, though perishable, is tested by fire—may be found to result in praise and glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed.
10 Like good stewards of the manifold grace of God, serve one another with whatever gift each of you has received.
The word for manifold, in the phrase “manifold trials,” is poikolos. This is a rare Greek word, used only one more time by Peter in chapter 4 verse 10. There, it refers to God’s “manifold grace”— sufficient to meet the many trials and turn them into many tests. In sports, we speak of rookies and veterans, the untested and the tested. God uses trials to test and to strengthen our faith. Authentic faith is sturdy and persevering. It is like the seed that falls into good soil in Jesus’ famous parable, able to withstand the scorching heat (see Luke 8:1-5). Sensing God’s presence and assurance as we suffer increases our capacity to endure, shaping within us the virtue of patient endurance.
Are you a rookie or a veteran when it comes to suffering?
Gracious God,
Turn my trials into tests that strengthen my faith—whether these trials are physical, emotional, financial or relational.
Amen.
