By Pastor Steve Nickodemus

Praising God in Trials

You can listen to today’s devotion by clicking this SoundCloud link.

“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 though it is tested by fire – may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ.”
1 Peter 1:6-7 English Standard Version

Katie Jane is in the midst of trials.  This beautiful, loving sister in Christ has been battling cancer for over a year.  And in the midst of the trials I have seen two things happen to her… First, she has grown in her faith as she learns to rejoice in the midst of trials.  And second, the witness of her faith has caused others to grow in their faith in Jesus… even in the midst of trials.

The time of Christmas can bring out the deepest grief and pain.  I watch a Christmas movie and find myself crying, remembering family that have died.  I pray with a friend and end up thinking of all those who have no friends.  I am in the midst of worship and think of those who have no faith.

In the midst of the grief we take a trip to the manger and there we find Jesus Christ and in Him we find joy and praise.  In Him we see the salvation of the world and God’s love come down to us.  In Him we we find a God who asked His own Son to die for our sins and redeem a rebellious, grieving, hopeless world.

Although grief may be your closest companion this Christmas, in Jesus Christ we find true joy.  God loves us in Jesus and so we can rejoice and grow and bear witness to a God who loves us.  He is our Immanuel, God with us…. even in all our trials.  Amen.

Copyright Holy Cross Lutheran Church Colorado Springs, Colorado