Through the Fire

“Before the request is formed He sees my needs. Before the words cross my lips, He hears my plea. He anticipates my call, and He is ready to assist.” Isaiah 65:24

“When you go through deep waters, I will be with you. When you go through rivers of difficulty, you will not drown. When you walk through the fire of oppression, you will not be burned up; the flames will not consume you.” Isaiah 43:2, NLT

It all started with a dream that robbed the King of his night’s sleep (see Daniel 2). The King couldn’t recall the dream and if not for Daniel, all his wise men would’ve been put to death. Daniel informs the King that the great God has shown him the future. Fast forward to Daniel 3, King Nebuchadnezzar makes a golden image and commands everyone to worship it.

What resonated with me was after having God through Daniel explain the dream, Nebuchadnezzar’s first thought was to make the image full of gold symbolizing Babylon would reign forever. Three young men defied his orders – Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego. What King Nebuchadnezzar didn’t know was that his fire was no match for the God who is a consuming fire. (Hebrews 12:29) 

Three young men told the King they did not fear for their lives. Furious, he orders that the furnace be made seven times hotter and has them bound and thrown in. Leaping to his feet in amazement, he notices that four men walk in the fire, and he exclaims that the fourth man looks like the Son of God. Calling them out, he notices that they remain unscathed with not even the smell of fire on them.

We serve a God who keeps His promises. Oftentimes I ask myself, what is my attitude when I’m in troublesome situations. Do I place my confidence in God? Do I carry the disposition that I will trust Him no matter what? Do I mark the times God has brought me through trying times to add to my experiential faith for the next moment?

We can never control the actions of others. For Nebuchadnezzar, he saw a moment where he wanted persons to worship the statue he put up instead of the Living God who he had just proclaimed after the dream. Caught in the middle were the three Hebrew boys, unwilling to worship any false gods. To the rescue was their Lord and Saviour, the Son of God. The same God we serve today!

“...When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned; the flames will not set you ablaze. For I am the Lord your God, the Holy One of Israel, Your Savior;” Isaiah 43:2,3 NIV

“Sometimes your clearest view of God will be in the fire and trials of life.” - S. Furtick

“The ‘fire’ of life builds an unshakable faith, unstealable peace, and an inexplicable strength within you, a version of yourself only pressure can create.” - Unknown

Dear Heavenly Father,

Thank You for being there with me in every season of this life. You have been true to promise even when I cannot always trace you. Hindsight reveals that you have brought me through difficult and tough situations for my good. Thank You for being with me through the fire. In Jesus name, Amen.

“Sometimes God will deliver you from the fire, and other times God will make you fireproof and take you through the fire.” - J. Osteen.

“God is looking for those with whom He can do the impossible.” - A. W. Tozer

“When He has tried me, I shall come forth as gold.” Job 23:10

“God will bring you through the fire.” Psalm 66:12

Be blessed to be a blessing.