Tested by fire.

1 Peter 1:3-9, Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! According to his great mercy, he has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for you, who by God’s power are being guarded through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time. In this you rejoice, though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been grieved by various trials, so that the tested genuineness of your faith—more precious than gold that perishes though it is tested by fire—may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ. Though you have not seen him, you love him. Though you do not now see him, you believe in him and rejoice with joy that is inexpressible and filled with glory, obtaining the outcome of your faith, the salvation of your souls.

The good news goes far beyond the comforts to be found in this world. Of the original Apostles, excepting Judas, all but one died a martyrs death, unwilling to renounce that Jesus is Lord, that He the only begotten Son of God, God with us in flesh, Christ has died, Christ has risen and Christ will come again. He who had no sin became sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God. And so Peter encourages us not to seek out various trials, but also not to be surprised if they should come. We have access to the same Holy Spirit who gave strength to the many first-century martyrs who willingly went to their death rather than renounce their faith in Jesus Christ. Are we rejoicing in that same joy inexpressible and asking to be filled with His glory?

Fill us with Your Holy Spirit, let Your living water flow through us to this dry and thirsty world; give us the strength if so required to be tested by fire.

ESV Lectionary