1st Peter 1:6
By Dr. Michael Guido, D.D.
By Dr. Michael Guido, D.D.
Fashionable New Yorkers in the 17th century not only called a physician when sick in bed, but also two comforters. Their occupation was to comfort the patient during the 'long hours of the night.' Dressed in black, and bearing a funeral expression, these cheerless chaps sang sad songs, read sad poetry and discussed death. I'm not dressed in black, nor am I bearing a funeral expression, but I'd like to bring you a comforting verse from the Bible. It's found in 1st Peter 1:6, "Wherein ye greatly rejoice, though now for a season, if need be, ye are in heaviness through manifold temptations."
Note the paradox. The Bible says, "Wherein you rejoice," yet "you are in heaviness." What? Joy and heaviness at the same time? Yes. How? The word "wherein" explains the paradox. It refers to the salvation that's mentioned in the preceding verse that reads, "Kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation ready to be revealed in the last time." When you came to Christ, your soul was saved. But you still experience sickness and sorrow. However when Christ comes for you, your body will be saved. Then there'll be no more sickness and sorrow. In heaven you'll not be a spirit floating about in space, you'll be a complete person - body, soul and spirit. Only your body will be delivered from disease and death, sin and sorrow, weakness and wildness. So as I look out over this wicked world, it doesn't depress me, because I expect from it nothing better. Whatever hurts or heartaches come, I say, "This, too, shall pass away." Whatever may be going against me, whatever sickness or sorrow shall come to me, this is what I must expect because of sin. But one of these days I shall see my Savior face to face, and then I shall be like Him. That's why I rejoice even when I'm in heaviness. Don't you?
"We expect a bright tomorrow; all will be well:
Faith can sing thru days of sorrow, all, all is well.
On our Father's love relying, Jesus every need supplying:
Or in living, or in dying, all must be well."
Note the period. The Bible says, "Though now for a season." The word "season" means "little," and it refers to a little while. In advertising trucks today they'll make mention of 1 ton or 2 tons. That's the load limit. One doesn't impose upon it a heavier weight. Just so, every person has a load limit, and the Lord, who permits the trial, will also regulate it. The Bible says, "No temptation has come your way that is too hard for flesh and blood to bear. But God can be trusted not to allow you to suffer any temptation beyond your powers of endurance. He will see to it that every temptation has a way out, so that it will never be impossible for you to bear it." In the midst of his many distresses, Lincoln used to say often to himself, "This, too, shall pass away." For every trial and test is only temporary, and that for a little while.
Note the purpose. The Bible says, "If need be." There's a need-be for each pain, and God someday will make it plain that earthly loss is heavenly gain. It's written in 1st Thessalonians 3:3, "That no man should be moved by these afflictions: for yourselves know that we are appointed thereunto." Affliction comes not by accident, but by appointment, by God's appointment. Well might we say, "No chance hath brought this ill to me. 'Tis God's Own hand, so let it be." So when afflictions come your way, don't say with despair, "What a disappointment." Remove the letter "d," and in its place put the letter "h," and you'll have not disappointment, but His appointment.
"I will say it over and over, this day and every day,
Whatsoever the Master orders, come what may, 'It is the Lord's appointment.'
For only His love can see what is wisest, best, and right, what is truly good for me."
Note the probation. The Bible says, "Ye are in heaviness through manifold temptations." The word "temptation" means trials and testings, and the word "manifold" means many-colored. Peter uses that word again to describe grace. He called it "the manifold grace of God." Your troubles may be many-colored, but so is the grace of God. There's no color in your situation which the grace of God can't match. There is triumph for every trial, a rainbow for every tear. There's no trial without His grace.
"God hath promised strength for the day, rest for the labor, light for the way,
Grace for the trials, help from above, unfailing sympathy, undying love."
You'll never be without sorrow in this world. But you'll never be without the Savior in your sorrow. He may allow you to get into the lions' den but He'll go there with you. But He'll not allow you to get into the lions' mouth. So trust Him and your trial will become your triumph.
copyright 2000 Guido Evangelistic Association
Note the paradox. The Bible says, "Wherein you rejoice," yet "you are in heaviness." What? Joy and heaviness at the same time? Yes. How? The word "wherein" explains the paradox. It refers to the salvation that's mentioned in the preceding verse that reads, "Kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation ready to be revealed in the last time." When you came to Christ, your soul was saved. But you still experience sickness and sorrow. However when Christ comes for you, your body will be saved. Then there'll be no more sickness and sorrow. In heaven you'll not be a spirit floating about in space, you'll be a complete person - body, soul and spirit. Only your body will be delivered from disease and death, sin and sorrow, weakness and wildness. So as I look out over this wicked world, it doesn't depress me, because I expect from it nothing better. Whatever hurts or heartaches come, I say, "This, too, shall pass away." Whatever may be going against me, whatever sickness or sorrow shall come to me, this is what I must expect because of sin. But one of these days I shall see my Savior face to face, and then I shall be like Him. That's why I rejoice even when I'm in heaviness. Don't you?
"We expect a bright tomorrow; all will be well:
Faith can sing thru days of sorrow, all, all is well.
On our Father's love relying, Jesus every need supplying:
Or in living, or in dying, all must be well."
Note the period. The Bible says, "Though now for a season." The word "season" means "little," and it refers to a little while. In advertising trucks today they'll make mention of 1 ton or 2 tons. That's the load limit. One doesn't impose upon it a heavier weight. Just so, every person has a load limit, and the Lord, who permits the trial, will also regulate it. The Bible says, "No temptation has come your way that is too hard for flesh and blood to bear. But God can be trusted not to allow you to suffer any temptation beyond your powers of endurance. He will see to it that every temptation has a way out, so that it will never be impossible for you to bear it." In the midst of his many distresses, Lincoln used to say often to himself, "This, too, shall pass away." For every trial and test is only temporary, and that for a little while.
Note the purpose. The Bible says, "If need be." There's a need-be for each pain, and God someday will make it plain that earthly loss is heavenly gain. It's written in 1st Thessalonians 3:3, "That no man should be moved by these afflictions: for yourselves know that we are appointed thereunto." Affliction comes not by accident, but by appointment, by God's appointment. Well might we say, "No chance hath brought this ill to me. 'Tis God's Own hand, so let it be." So when afflictions come your way, don't say with despair, "What a disappointment." Remove the letter "d," and in its place put the letter "h," and you'll have not disappointment, but His appointment.
"I will say it over and over, this day and every day,
Whatsoever the Master orders, come what may, 'It is the Lord's appointment.'
For only His love can see what is wisest, best, and right, what is truly good for me."
Note the probation. The Bible says, "Ye are in heaviness through manifold temptations." The word "temptation" means trials and testings, and the word "manifold" means many-colored. Peter uses that word again to describe grace. He called it "the manifold grace of God." Your troubles may be many-colored, but so is the grace of God. There's no color in your situation which the grace of God can't match. There is triumph for every trial, a rainbow for every tear. There's no trial without His grace.
"God hath promised strength for the day, rest for the labor, light for the way,
Grace for the trials, help from above, unfailing sympathy, undying love."
You'll never be without sorrow in this world. But you'll never be without the Savior in your sorrow. He may allow you to get into the lions' den but He'll go there with you. But He'll not allow you to get into the lions' mouth. So trust Him and your trial will become your triumph.
copyright 2000 Guido Evangelistic Association
All Scripture verses are quoted from the New King James Version.
This series of messages on the books of the Bible were originally written for broadcast on Dr. Guido's radio program, "The Sower." They are collected and reprinted here for your enjoyment and spiritual edification. Go to the Sower's site for more at www.TheSower.com.
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