Daily Worship (April 12)

1 Peter 1:6–9 (NIV)
In all this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while you may have had to suffer grief in all kinds of trials. These have come so that the proven genuineness of your faith—of greater worth than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire—may result in praise, glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed. Though you have not seen him, you love him; and even though you do not see him now, you believe in him and are filled with an inexpressible and glorious joy, for you are receiving the end result of your faith, the salvation of your souls.

Devotional Thought:
Peter writes to believers who are suffering deeply. They are facing trials that are painful and confusing. Yet Peter says something surprising—they can rejoice. Why? Because their faith is being tested like gold in fire. Fire does not destroy gold. It removes what does not belong. In the same way, God uses trials to refine our faith.

This connects directly to what we saw in James. Trials are not random. They are not signs that God has left us. They are part of God’s good work in us. When life is hard—when money is tight, when relationships are strained, when your body is weak—God is doing something deeper than you can see. He is forming perseverance. He is shaping your character. He is making your faith real.

Peter also reminds us that our hope is not in this life. We have an inheritance that can never perish. That means our trials, as hard as they are, are temporary. They are preparing us for something eternal.

Most importantly, Jesus has already walked through the fire for us. He suffered, died, and rose again so that our faith would not fail. When your faith feels weak, remember—it is not the strength of your faith that saves you, but the strength of your Savior.

So when the fire comes, do not assume God is against you. Trust that He is refining you. The fire is not the end of your story. It is part of how God is making you ready for glory.

COMMA Questions:

• Context: How does Peter’s message to suffering believers help you understand why trials are part of the Christian life?
• Observation: What does Peter say trials do to our faith, and how does he describe the outcome?
• Meaning: What does it mean that faith is “more precious than gold”?
• Main Idea: Why does God allow trials in the life of a believer?
• Application: How can you respond differently the next time you face a difficult situation?

Prayer:
Lord, when life feels hard, help me remember that you are refining my faith. Teach me to trust you in the fire. Thank you for Jesus, who suffered for me and gives me hope. Help me endure with joy, knowing you are making me new. Amen.

Genesis 3:1–7 (NIV)
Now the serpent was more crafty than any of the wild animals the LORD God had made. He said to the woman, “Did God really say, ‘You must not eat from any tree in the garden’?”

The woman said to the serpent, “We may eat fruit from the trees in the garden, but God did say, ‘You must not eat fruit from the tree that is in the middle of the garden, and you must not touch it, or you will die.’ ”
“You will not certainly die,” the serpent said to the woman. “For God knows that when you eat from it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil.”

When the woman saw that the fruit of the tree was good for food and pleasing to the eye, and also desirable for gaining wisdom, she took some and ate it. She also gave some to her husband, who was with her, and he ate it. Then the eyes of both of them were opened, and they realized they were naked; so they sewed fig leaves together and made coverings for themselves.

Devotional Thought:
The first temptation in the Bible shows us how sin really works. The serpent does not begin with force. He begins with a question: “Did God really say?” Then he plants doubt about God’s goodness. He suggests that God is holding something back. He makes disobedience look good and wise.

This is the same pattern James describes. Temptation starts inside us, with desire. That desire grows when we begin to believe a lie about God. We start to think that what God says is not best. We redefine what is good. Then we act on it, and sin leads to death.

This is important for us because we often blame our sin on our circumstances or other people. But James tells us the truth. Temptation comes from within. The problem is not just out there. It is in our hearts.

But the gospel gives us hope. Jesus faced temptation too, but He never gave in. Where Adam failed, Jesus was faithful. He trusted the Father completely, even when it led to suffering. Because of Him, we are not slaves to our desires anymore.

When you feel tempted, stop and ask yourself: What am I believing about God right now? Am I trusting that He is good? Or am I believing that I know better?

Temptation promises life, but it always leads to death. God’s way may feel harder in the moment, but it leads to true life. Trust Him. He is not holding out on you.

COMMA Questions:

• Context: How does this passage fit into the larger story of creation and the fall?
• Observation: What lies does the serpent tell, and how does Eve respond?
• Meaning: What does it mean to question God’s goodness?
• Main Idea: What is at the root of temptation and sin?
• Application: When you are tempted, how can you remind yourself that God is good and trustworthy?

Prayer:
Father, I confess that I often doubt your goodness and follow my own desires. Forgive me. Help me to trust your word and believe that your ways are best. Thank you for Jesus, who overcame temptation for me. Give me strength to follow you. Amen.

Matthew 7:7–11 (NIV)
“Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives; the one who seeks finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened.

“Which of you, if your son asks for bread, will give him a stone? Or if he asks for a fish, will give him a snake? If you, then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good gifts to those who ask him!

Devotional Thought:
Jesus teaches us something simple but powerful: God is a good Father. He invites us to ask, seek, and knock. He promises that He will respond. Then He compares God to earthly fathers. Even sinful parents know how to give good gifts to their children. How much more will God give good things to those who ask Him?

This truth speaks directly into our struggles with trials and temptations. In trials, we are tempted to think God is against us. In temptation, we are tempted to believe God is holding something back. But Jesus says the opposite. God is generous. He delights in giving good gifts.

This does not mean life will always be easy. Sometimes God gives us what we need, not what we want. Sometimes the “good gift” is wisdom in a trial, not escape from it. Sometimes it is strength to endure, not immediate relief. But it is always good.

James tells us that every good and perfect gift comes from above. Jesus shows us what that looks like in a personal way. God is not distant. He is your Father. He hears you. He cares for you. He knows what is best.

The greatest gift God has given is new life through Jesus. If He has given us His Son, we can trust Him with everything else.

So when you are in the fire, ask Him for wisdom. When you are tempted, ask Him for help. Do not run from God—run to Him. He is good, and He gives good gifts.

COMMA Questions:

• Context: How does this teaching fit within Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount?
• Observation: What commands does Jesus give, and what promises follow?
• Meaning: What does it mean that God gives “good gifts”?
• Main Idea: Why can we trust God to provide what we need?
• Application: How can you grow in regularly asking God for help in trials and temptations?

Prayer:
Father, thank you that you are good and generous. Help me to trust you when life is hard and when I am tempted to doubt. Teach me to come to you in prayer, knowing you care for me. Thank you for giving me Jesus, the greatest gift of all. Amen.