No Fire Hot Enough: by SelahV, Guest Contributor

Ever been through trials of fire?  Not the little inconveniences that annoy, nor the occasional aggravation of a disgruntled person.  No.  I mean a trial that when looking at it from a distance, you wonder how you survived it.  In its midst you felt as though you'd be consumed.  Yet, you endured; you persevered and God gained the glory for it.

“Look!” he answered, “I see four men loose, walking in the midst of the fire; and they are not hurt, and the form of the fourth is like the Son of God” (Dan. 3:25 NKJV)

Ministers are frequently given these intense fires.  Often they must walk alone into the heat of their flames.  Often they cannot say what it is they are going through as they move about the world standing firm for Truth.  Yet God allows the fires.  Why?  It seems with every fire comes temptation.  Temptation to lash out, to defend oneself, to give unto others as has been given.  There's temptation to give up, to wallow in self-pity behind their office doors.  Why don't they?  Adrian Rogers said,

"Trials are sent by God to cause us to stand. Temptation to sin is sent by the devil to cause us to stumble. One is meant for our maturity. The other is meant for our misery."

Why weren't Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego consumed by the fire so hot that it killed the men who'd thrown them into it?  The Lord was walking amidst them.  And this is why our fires do not consume us.  When we are walking with the Lord, He is with us in our darkest night, our deepest sea, our hottest fire.  He is with us.  He gives us grace to stand the tests, and power to overcome the evil one's temptations. 

Though the tests can come at us like lightening bolts, and temptations like serpents beneath our feet, Christ gives us the victory and God gains the glory when we come forth unhurt.

Whatever you face today or tomorrow, may you see the Lord in the midst of you.  May you walk in the faith He has given you to endure and not grow weary in doing so.  May you realize afresh that there is no fire hot enough to do you harm.  "For lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age." selahV

SelahV

Comments

[volfan007]

Thank you, Selah, for this good word. I've been thru many fires in the ministry, myself. God is truly there in each one to help us walk thru it. Praise God for His goodness and mercy.

David

[Byroniac]

Good message, SelahV.