ESOCS Devotional 2 December 2025 – Trials are Essential for Building our Faith in God
MEMORY VERSE: “That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honour and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ.” 1 Peter 1:7 KJV
TEXT: 1 PETER 1:1-12
Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ,
To the pilgrims of the Dispersion in Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia, 2 elect according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, in sanctification of the Spirit, for obedience and sprinkling of the blood of Jesus Christ:
Grace to you and peace be multiplied.
3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His abundant mercy has begotten us again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, 4 to an inheritance [b]incorruptible and undefiled and that does not fade away, reserved in heaven for you, 5 who are kept by the power of God through faith for salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.
6 In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while, if need be, you have been [c]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, honor, and glory at the revelation of Jesus Christ, 8 whom having not [d]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.
10 Of this salvation the prophets have inquired and searched carefully, who prophesied of the grace that would come to you, 11 searching what, or what manner of time, the Spirit of Christ who was in them was indicating when He testified beforehand the sufferings of Christ and the glories that would follow. 12 To them it was revealed that, not to themselves, but to [e]us they were ministering the things which now have been reported to you through those who have preached the gospel to you by the Holy Spirit sent from heaven—things which angels desire to look into.
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God’s will for all His children is that we rejoice evermore, pray without ceasing, and in all things give thanks to Him, even during the inevitable difficulties of life that we all have to face, and in the midst of the various trials that are the portion of all humanity.
Trials are a criterion that God uses to test and increase our faith in Him, and to appraise and develop our trust in His Word. We are told in the Scriptures to rejoice greatly in the Lord, even though for a time we may have to suffer much grief and all kinds of difficulties.
Trials may not be easy, but God is ultimately in control and He has promised that they will last but for a short season, and are designed for a distinct and wonderful purpose, which will only become fully evident when the Lord Jesus returns for His Church.
The trying experiences of today are preparing us for a glorious tomorrow. They are designed to test our faith, develop our faith, and increase our faith in our Father in heaven. The faith of each of us His children is valuable to Him, more precious to Him than much fine gold, which will one day perish.
Gold that is purified is tested in the fire to remove all its impurities, blemishes, and imperfections. In like manner, the faith of a Christian needs to be pure, unblemished, and perfect, and the trials of life are designed to purify our hearts, increase our dependence upon the Lord Jesus, deepen our love for our Saviour, enrich our spiritual lives, strengthen our hope in His many precious promises, and increase our faith in the Word of God.
Let us rejoice evermore, pray without ceasing, and give thanks in all things, even during the trials that come our way: “Knowing that the trial of our faith, being much more precious than of gold that perishes, though it be tried with fire, might be found to praise and honour and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ.”
CHALLENGES
- How do you overcome trying times in your life?
PRAYER POINT
- Father, give me grace to withstand the storms of life through timeless faith.
FURTHER READING: Proverbs 2:1-9; 3:19-35; James 5:1-6
ESOCS Devotional 2 December 2025
