The refining pot is for silver and the furnace for gold, but the LORD tests the hearts.
proverbs 17:3
There are leaf burning piles or bonfires both hopefully contained and as long as they are used properly safe. Gas stoves, furnaces and fireplaces are useful. There are destructive fires like a housefire or forest fire or wildfire. And there are refining fires to purifiy metals...
So what do your fires look like? You know...your walking life out day by day experience fires.
Because you know what we all have them of one sort or another because we are humans in a still fallen world. And lest you think lots of money will prevent them I would like to challenge that thought not because I think money is an evil commodity or doesn't make life easier. I think money can mask much.
Through a ridiculous experience with a scam, we ended up with some magazines we wouldn't normally buy. You know ones that keep the general population up on what is happening with the society of the rich and famous of Hollywood. Normally we toss them-gasp! Well there are a couple reasons for that. One is I am not all that interested in the gossip and people bashing that happens in them. I am also just sad and embarrassed for the ones the articles are spreading wildfire about. See they do have their fires...Do I want all my troubles out there mistold, hyped about for millions to discuss? What a lack of privacy (which is why I want to be real in my writing but also make sure I am protecting the privacy of those who are part of my life dealings).
Today I heard again about the 3 Hebrew men who refused to bow down to the kings idol so got tossed into the fire. The one the king had his guys make 7x's hotter to intimidate these three into bowing. Nope, did not bow! Take a moment to be in awe of that committment.
Not many of us have that fire to face. I know in other nations some do face incredible persecution for being a follower of Jesus. Though as we move into end times only God knows the measure of what we will face here.
But aside from that what are the normally fiery trials that are there to prove our faith? Can I just pull it close? What about sick kids and school....there is a whole world of fire packed into that sometimes...What about sickness and disability in general that seems to go on and haven't quite seen total healing yet so still have to manage. Maybe you have elder care to manage. Maybe you are the elderly one not wanting to burden anyone or give up independence.What about losing loved ones to death or divorce? Job loss. Mortgage payments. Teenagers, toddlers, infants...Overwhelming decisions to make. Loneliness. Slander. Car trouble. What about hearing from God about a call on your life but you are finding yourself not walking in that supposed glorious picture of a call and are wondering why you are working a "regular" job...Hearing Satans sinister whisper "Did God really say?"...Walking in integrity....
Will I believe God in my hard, no fruit on the vine yet, sickness, broken relationship experiences. Let's take it to this. Will I believe in my fire that God WILL prosper the work of my hands. That He IS Jehovah Jireh my Provider. That He IS Jehovah Raphah my God Who (stitches me up and makes me whole) Healer. That He IS Yahweh Shalom my Peace. That He IS Immanuel my God Who IS with me and so on! Will I believe that in my fire like the 3 who said of their fire..."We know our God is..." Will I endure testing and put His word to the test?
Will I be found first made pure by the sacrifice Jesus made for me and then again by holding tight when I feel my world is crashing in and maybe really is for awhile...will I say like the 3 "my God is able to deliver me" and not assume when it doesn't happen in MY time frame that He has left the scene but rather is in fact walking in the fire with me?
Gold is not refined by itself...Get that. It is processed by fire and watched over as it is purified. The fire of purification is particularly hot. The melting point of gold is 1064.18 degrees c or 1947.52 degrees f. Don't mistake me and think I am accusing God of purposely raining fire on me as a game of "Will She Endure". He doesn't play cat and mouse with us. But life will present many opportunities to test, prove and purify. No testimony without the test. No pushing impurities to the surface for skimming off without the fire.
Sigh...I wonder with this cheery word if anyone will ever read me again! Thank you to Jeffrey Smith for the use of his Prayer Pups cartoon. You can click his link right below it to find more.
Be blessed sweet people of God. Have a wonderful weekend. Sometimes it just helps to know the stuff happening to me will be made to work for my good even when it feels like it will be the end of me! And it also helps to remember not all of life is trials and fires.
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