More Precious Than Gold

What is more precious than gold? We may think of certain rare materials that are more precious. But for the personal life, other matters are more relevant. What is important for you? Health? Family? Success? Peter explains in his first letter that faith is tested similar as gold is tested: both are tested by fire; and if we hold on to God in faith even when going through fire, through challenges and difficulties, that will turn out more precious than gold. 1. Peter chapter 1 [3 - 7]: Let us give thanks to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! Because of his great mercy he gave us new life by raising Jesus Christ from death. This fills us with a living hope, and so we look forward to possessing the rich blessings that God keeps for his people. He keeps them for you in heaven, where they cannot decay or spoil or fade away. They are for you, who through faith are kept safe by God's power for the salvation which is ready to be revealed at the end of time. Be glad about this, even though it may now be necessary for you to be sad for a while because of the many kinds of trials you suffer. Their purpose is to prove that your faith is genuine. Even gold, which can be destroyed, is tested by fire; and so your faith, which is much more precious than gold, must also be tested, so that it may endure. Then you will receive praise and glory and honor on the Day when Jesus Christ is revealed. What an outlook! And already here as we walk through the challenges of this life, God promises to be with us, as we can read in the prophet Zechariah chapter 13 [9], God says: I will bring them through the fire, will refine them as silver is refined, and test them as gold is tested. They will call on my name and I will answer them.Let's pray: Lord, we thank you that you are always with us, even when we feel like left alone or when there seems to be no hope. Thank you that we can put our faith in you and that you stay with us even through the most difficult times. Thank you that you offer forgiveness and the outlook to participate in your eternal kingdom, which is much more precious than any gold or silver. To you be praise and glory and honor forever. Amen.