06/01/2026
More Precious Than Gold
By Bishop A. Collins
“In this you rejoice, though now for a little while you may have to suffer various trials, so that the genuineness of your faith, more precious than gold which though perishable is tested by fire, may be found to praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ.” - 1Peter 1:6-7
No one enjoys living in the furnace. No one enjoys the pain, the pressure, or the uncertainty that comes with prolonged testing. Yet Peter 1:6–7 reminds us that time in the crucible reveals the genuineness of our faith. Faith is easy to profess when obedience costs little, but surrender is not truly tested until there is something significant at stake. The greater the cost, the greater the challenge.
We are not truly challenged in yielding to the will of God until obedience demands sacrifice. This is why testing is so important. There is no such thing as partial surrender. Either Christ is Lord of all, or He is not Lord at all. We cannot honestly know whether we are fully surrendered until we are severely tempted to withdraw our commitment, compromise our convictions, or abandon our trust in God altogether.
At its core, the enemy seeks the answer to one question: What will it take to bring our commitment to Christ to an end? What pressure, what loss, what pain, what delay would cause us to walk away?
God may allow Satan a measure of access in our lives - not to satisfy divine curiosity, nor to gratify the enemy, but so that we ourselves may discover that our faith has no price. As in the case of Job, the testing may become intense and deeply painful, yet the final product is “more precious than gold.”
As James 1:2–3 declares: “Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet various trials, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness.”
God never places His children in the crucible without divine purpose. Though we may never fully understand the depth of His intentions, we can trust that He is using the furnace for our good. Through testing, He strengthens perseverance, exposes the authenticity of our surrender, and forms within us a faith that is steadfast, enduring, and genuine.
So, be careful to stand on the Word of God. Trust God when it doesn’t make sense. Obey Him when it is difficult. Wait on Him when it feels delayed. Surrender when it costs you. And remember: You are not alone in the fire.
HOWICP
