This is the Our Daily Bread Devotional for Today, January 21, 2025. It is brought to you by Our Daily Bread Ministries and today’s topic is The Gift of Trials written by Patricia Raybon.

Our Daily Bread Devotional for Today, January 21, 2025

TOPIC: The Gift of Trials

TODAY’S SCRIPTURE: 1 Peter 4:12-19

Today’s Insights

The apostle Peter penned his first letter to encourage believers in Jesus who—because of persecution in Jerusalem (see Acts 8:1)—had been scattered throughout Asia Minor (modern-day Turkey). Peter’s words still encourage suffering believers today. We’re not to be surprised when we face persecution because of our faith (1 Peter 4:12). After all, Christ warned, “If they persecuted me, they will persecute you also” (John 15:20). Yet Peter tells us to rejoice when we suffer for being Christ’s followers (1 Peter 4:13, 16). We see this modeled by Paul in prison (Acts 16:22-25). God the Holy Spirit was with the early believers in their trials—and He’s with us in ours (1 Peter 4:14; see John 14:15-17; Romans 5:5). He comforts (2 Corinthians 1:3-4) and inspires His followers to persevere with rejoicing.

Today’s Devotional

The two men conquered human flight, but the Wright brothers’ journey to success was never easy. Despite countless failures, ridicule, money woes, and serious injury to one of them, the brothers weren’t stopped by the trials they faced. As Orville Wright observed, “No bird soars in a calm.” The idea, according to biographer David McCullough, means that adversity can “often be exactly what you need to give you a lift higher.” Said McCullough, “Their joy was not getting to the top of the mountain. Their joy was climbing the mountain.”

The apostle Peter taught a similar spiritual principle to the persecuted early church. He told them, “Do not be surprised at the fiery ordeal that has come on you to test you” (1 Peter 4:12). This wasn’t a denial of suffering’s pain. Peter knew that hope in Christ grows our trust in God.

This is especially true when we suffer for being a believer in Jesus, as those early Christians did. Peter wrote to them, “Rejoice inasmuch as you participate in the sufferings of Christ, so that you may be overjoyed when his glory is revealed” (v. 13). He went on, “If you are insulted because of the name of Christ, you are blessed, for the Spirit of glory and of God rests on you” (v. 14).

As the Wright brothers’ character was hailed by their biographer, may others see God’s loving character at work in us. He uses our adversity to raise us to new heights.

Reflect & Pray

How have you suffered for Christ? How was He glorified?

Suffering tests me, dear God. Please grant me hope for Your glory.

About Our Daily Bread Devotional 

Our Daily Bread Devotional is one of the publications of Our Daily Bread Ministries that seeks to help people grow closer in their relationship with God, become more like Jesus, and respond to God’s Word through the conviction of the Holy Spirit. The ministry is on a mission to make the life-changing wisdom of the Bible understandable and accessible to all.