1 Peter 1:6

“In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while, if need be, you have been grieved by various trials,” – 1:6

In verse four Peter has shown that we have an inheritance because we have been born again, we get immortality! In verse five he explains that we are kept by the power of God for salvation, and this is done by faith (we have no sight of it presently) but this power or salvation will be seen, (we will have the evidence) in the last time. And so we have a picture of hope; God shows mercy (desire to help) > that leads to being born again (because of Jesus’ resurrection) > that leads to us being entitled to an inheritance (immortality) which is in heaven (we have to wait) > but this inheritance is kept by God’s own power for our salvation (which is seen at the last time). So this leads us to verse 6.

In this – we are talking about the amazing news that we are born again because of God’s power, and that we will have immortality (which is our inheritance) because once again God’s power is able to keep it for us until the last time. (this is our context)

you greatly rejoice – the result of these facts is that we are super excited, we greatly rejoice, “to exult, rejoice exceedingly, be exceeding glad” this is why there should never be an unhappy Christian!

though now for a little while, – here is the “but” the “however’ yet we are full of hope and faith and excited and rejoice greatly, but we are “not out of the woods yet”. The good news in this is that the idea of “little while” means “of time: short” or “slight”

if need be – perhaps this is not everyone’s story, but it will be for some. What are the conditions for who will and who won’t?

you have been grieved – here is the reality of living in a broken creation. There will be grieving that will attempt to steal our joy. But what is causing us to be grieved?

by various trials – many various “different types” of trials or “temptations”. What might these look like? In the context, it might be that they are attempting to cause you;

• to doubt your new birth
• to disbelieve your adoption in the heavenly family.
• to forget you have an inheritance of immortality waiting for you
• to blind your eyes to the promise that God which His power is keeping this promise to you.
• to forget/lose sight of the gift of salvation you have been given.
• to cause you to let circumstances dictate your feelings.

But the question is “Why does God allow this to happen when He has promised us that He will keep us?” That will come in the next verse.

An application:

Father, thank-you for your abounding mercy, thank-you for being willing to help me in my miserable condition, thank-you for the new birth, in which I become apart of your family, and am in entitled to your inheritance, eternal life – help me Lord, by faith to accept that you are keeping me with your power, protecting me with your power! Help my times of doubt and forgetfulness, Father help me to have my eyes open that I might not be carried away by my circumstances and be “grieved” and lose sight of my standing with you, my hope, my joy in You! Amen.