In the Fire

One of the many questions that puzzles humanity is why God - if He is so good and all-powerful - allows bad things to happen. Why does He allow fire?

It may sometimes seem to us that, somehow, our problems and the world in general have spun out of God's control, but that could never be further from the truth. He is always in control; He is able to deliver; and He has a purpose - a good one. His word reveals some of the ways He works through our afflictions and His purpose for letting us go through them.

1. For His Glory:

We can see a literal example of this in Daniel 3. Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego were quite literally thrown into a blazing furnace for refusing - twice - to bow to the golden image made by the king of Babylon. The fire was raging so hard that the people ordered to throw them in became casualties themselves, but to everyone's surprise, the three young Hebrew men were walking around in the fire like they were merely facing the gentle heat of an early summer sun, and eventually came out unscathed.

This was King Nebuchadnezzar's response, "Blessed be the God of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, who has sent his angel and delivered his servants, who trusted in him, and set aside the king's command, and yielded up their bodies rather than serve and worship any god except their own God. Therefore I make a decree: Any people, nation, or language that speaks anything against the God of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego shall be torn limb from limb, and their houses laid in ruins, for there is no other god who is able to rescue in this way." (v. 28-29)

These three young men's faith in God even while literally in the fire, and the way God showed up for them, allowed others to see His power and brought glory to His name in the end. It was just as Jesus said in Matthew 5:16, "In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven."

When we face figurative fires of our own, it is an opportunity for God's glory to be displayed through us as people witness how He shows up for His people!

2. For Our Refinement:

All over the Bible are littered verses that discuss how the Lord used difficult situations to help us grow and to make us more like Him.

"Behold, I have refined you, but not as silver; I have tried you in the furnace of affliction."

- Isaiah 48:10

"And I will put this third into the fire, and refine them as one refines silver, and test them as gold is tested. They will call upon my name, and I will answer them. I will say, ‘They are my people’; and they will say, ‘The Lord is my God.’ ”

- Zechariah 13:9

"In this [salvation] you rejoice, though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been grieved by various trials, so that the tested genuineness of your faith—more precious than gold that perishes though it is tested by fire—may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ."

- 1 Peter 1:6-7

"But he knows the way that I take; when he has tried me, I shall come out as gold."

- Job 23:10

"I will turn my hand against you and will smelt away your dross as with lye and remove all your alloy... Afterward you shall be called the city of righteousness, the faithful city.”

- Isaiah 1:25-26

"For you, O God, have tested us; you have tried us as silver is tried. You brought us into the net; you laid a crushing burden on our backs; you let men ride over our heads; we went through fire and through water; yet you have brought us out to a place of abundance."

- Psalm 66:10-12

" Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing."

- James 1:2-4

God passes us through fire so that we may come out on the other side refined. What does this refinement look like? Well, that's specific to you and your fire. It may simply be having a greater appreciation for your blessings, or He may want to remove certain hinderances in your life - people, habits, character traits, etc. It could also be an opportunity to develop a stronger prayer life or understanding of the word. Whatever it is, James makes it clear that we have a part to play to allow the fire "have its full effect." We must fully embrace everything there is to learn in our current situations by seeking God and His will such as through His word, prayer, and fasting. I love how Paul puts it in 2 Corinthians 12:9,

"But he said to me, 'My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.' Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me."

Boast in those weaknesses, thank God for your fire, ask Him to show you where He is - where the fourth man is - because He is surely in there with you. If only we would just tap into them, these struggles are opportune periods to develop a closer fellowship with God.

3. For the Good of Others:

The way we handle ourselves amidst seasons of difficulties is in itself a special kind of testimony. Imagine yourself being in the audience when Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego were brought before Nebuchadnezzar, hearing the confidence about which they spoke about their God in v. 16-18. Now that's something that would get you thinking, wouldn't it? In fact, at the end of the story, we see Nebuchadnezzar blesses God!

1 Peter 3:15 says, "but in your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect."

When the world is falling to pieces around us and others see us unshaken, standing firm, they'll want to know what it is we're standing on. When people are in despair and we show up with smiles on our faces and a confidence for the uncertain future, people will want to know what the source of our hope is - and we'll be prepared to tell them it's Jesus!

Going through difficulties often dims the distraction of the world and helps people focus on what truly matters - God and people. In times like that, being in the fire with them or having come out of it, we are uniquely equipped to encourage and strengthen others - Christians and non-Christians alike. Paul says in 2 Corinthians 1:3-7,

"Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our affliction, so that we may be able to comfort those who are in any affliction, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God. For as we share abundantly in Christ's sufferings, so through Christ we share abundantly in comfort too. If we are afflicted, it is for your comfort and salvation; and if we are comforted, it is for your comfort, which you experience when you patiently endure the same sufferings that we suffer. Our hope for you is unshaken, for we know that as you share in our sufferings, you will also share in our comfort."

The world is on fire, and for some of us, now especially so. Maybe your personal life is up in flames too. I pray that you receive the comfort of the Lord and that you are empowered to share it with others. This is the comfort of the Lord:

You may be in a dark valley now, but do not fear for He is with you. (Psalm 23:4)

You may be surrounded by enemies now, but He is preparing a table for you. (Psalm 23:5)

When they say there is a casting down, you will say there is a lifting up. (Job 22:29)

I'll conclude with these two verses:

"And after you have suffered a little while, the God of all grace, who has called you to his eternal glory in Christ, will himself restore, confirm, strengthen, and establish you."

- 1 Peter 5:10

"When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and through the rivers, they shall not overwhelm you; when you walk through fire you shall not be burned, and the flame shall not consume you."

- Isaiah 43:2

You shall not be burned! Peace and love of Christ be with you!

Bonus Soundtrack: In The Room (Afro Beat Version) | Maverick City Music feat. Annatoria

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pb4KwPKJoFM