Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery trial when it comes upon you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you. 1 Peter 4:12
Our Lutheran wedding vows read, “to have and to hold from this day forward, for better, for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish, till death us do part, according to God's holy will; and I pledge to you my faithfulness.” It is always a beautiful thing to officiate at a wedding and joyfully hear the bride and groom repeat these tender words. I always speak them slowly and emphatically for the couple to repeat after me.
Wedding days are so filled with hope that we may only hear the words, “better, richer, and health.” However, all of us who have been married know that we also have our fair share of “worse, poorer, and sickness.” As St. Peter says, these things should not be a surprise. It is difficult to live in this world and “fiery trials” are around every corner.
In our Christian faith as in marriage, the proof of love and commitment is not in the “better, richer, and health” but in the “worse, poorer, and sickness.” We seldom see marriages dissolve because things are getting better!
You and I are able to bear “fiery trials” because God has given Himself to us in Jesus. He promises to be with us always and will grant to each of us His eternal blessings.
If you are married, God has given you to your spouse. He or she also bears “fiery trials” in life. You are a gift of strength and confidence because you have promised to be there for the “worse, poorer, and sickness.”
Prayer: Dear Father, thank you for the gift of love and commitment that I have received in Christ. Grant that I may remain faithful to You and honor the commitments that I have made in my life. Amen.
God’s richest blessings in Christ,
Pastor Philip Quardokus
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