By His Side

Years ago I heard an illustration in a sermon that made me smile because it agreed with my experience.  He talked about taking his dog for a walk and how the dog pulled on the lead, eager to smell everything and explore everywhere.  "I've got plans!" the dog was saying in his head.  The pastor said this can resemble us at times, thinking much of our plans when going on a walk was God's plan all along.  It is the person walking the dog who knows their route and destination.  Even if the dog is a reason to go on a walk it is the walker's decision to bring them along for the journey.

We can have all sorts of plans, ambitions and dreams, and these are not bad in themselves.  What the child of God is wise to realise is God has plans and purposes for us we never imagined, and sometimes if we were told the circumstances or trials due to lack of faith we would face we would dread and seek to avoid them!  Peter wrote to beloved believers in 1 Peter 4:12-13, "Beloved, do not think it strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened to you; ¹³ but rejoice to the extent that you partake of Christ's sufferings, that when His glory is revealed, you may also be glad with exceeding joy."  Fiery trials are not to be viewed as unwelcome guests by us because we know God has ordained them to exercise our faith.  In being partakers with Christ's suffering for following Him, we are also partakers of His glory and joy.

Suffering is a part of life on earth for every person.  The difference between the unbeliever and the believer is Christians have a balm for our wounds, rest for our souls and consolation that is infinitely greater than our pains.  If we balk at the idea that God's plans and purposes for us involve suffering, we only need to look to Christ's sufferings on Calvary.  He was an innocent and righteous man who was betrayed, condemned and crucified for the sins of the world.  Considering Jesus Christ and His atoning sacrifice we can receive 1 Peter 4:19:  "Therefore let those who suffer according to the will of God commit their souls to Him in doing good, as to a faithful Creator."  The suffering we face for the sake of Christ is according to the will of God, and faith in Him enable us to receive this and commit our souls to Him in doing good.

We can content ourselves with thinking God is able to bring good things out of bad situations we might only know about in the eternal state in heaven.  But Peter laid out in the beginning of this epistle very clear purposes we can plainly know today in 1 Peter 1:6-9:  "In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while, if need be, you have been grieved by various trials, ⁷ that the genuineness of your faith, being much more precious than gold that perishes, though it is tested by fire, may be found to praise, honour, and glory at the revelation of Jesus Christ, ⁸ whom having not seen you love. Though now you do not see Him, yet believing, you rejoice with joy inexpressible and full of glory, ⁹ receiving the end of your faith--the salvation of your souls."  Unless our faith in Christ is able to endure trials, it is not genuine and thus unable to save.  Being brought through trials with love and joy in Jesus brings praise and honour to Christ and is evidence of our eternal salvation and redemption.

God sent Jesus Christ to seek and save the lost.  God's will is that Jesus Christ would be glorified, and when we endure fiery trials with love of Jesus His purposes are accomplished.  With faith in Christ we have fellowship with God and find comfort and rest for our souls.  Aren't God's plans higher and better than ours?  We would choose to avoid the trial completely, yet God would have us right by His side in the thick of it as He leads us safely to glory.