August 4 – 11
FIRE!
After last week’s long narrative, I will concentrate on one thing that lingers as we read the Bible with Bev’s Cover to Cover. We read about fire being circumstances which we face and we read about the fire being God’s Word. Fire can either devour you or refine you. It can bring out the impurities within, or it can cause you to get burned. First, we find fire in the heated circumstances of three young boys about to be burned alive. Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, (Daniel’s buddies) were determined not to let the fiery blaze define their faith. They proclaimed that their God could save them, but if He did not, their faith was still in Him and they would not falter. And did the pre-incarnate Christ ever show up:
Daniel 3:25 He (King Nebuchadnezzar) said, “Look! I see four men walking around in the fire, unbound and unharmed, and the fourth looks like a son of the gods.” How reassuring the Fourth Man in the fire is to me. When we are in the flames of circumstances that test our faith, He is right there with us, ministering to our hearts, keeping the fire from burning us. Our Lord Christ is Emmanuel, “God with us”-not God beside us, or God coaching us from heaven, but ever present in our time of need.
Not only is God present in the fire of our circumstances but He tells us that His Word is fire. Fire illuminates and exposes. It causes discomfort when it heats up. God’s Word in Scripture does exactly that to the heart that submits itself to His judgment. His Word brings a purity that takes us closer to His own heart. When we read Scripture as God’s authentic Word, It cannot help but do its work within us.
Jer 23:29-“Is not my word like fire,” declares the Lord, “and like a hammer that breaks a rock in pieces?”
The Lord Himself tells us His Word is like fire and a hammer. Are you broken by the fire of your circumstances? Do you find yourself burned out in life? Are you crumbled and ready for a healing work of the Lord? Let the refining fire and hammer of His Word have its way in you. Let Him put back the pieces of brokenness in your life. We all have places that desperately need his healing Fire.
Fire refines or fire destroys. Which one will it be for you?
annette geffert 
The story is rich in so many ways. It’s interesting to read everyone’s unique responses. In reading your commentary, I was reminded that the name of the little church I grew up in was “Emmanuel,” and I loved it because–and this will crack you up–I thought it meant that God was with OUR little church, as opposed to many others, especially other denominatons! HMM, where does a child learn THAT?? Once when I was in the throes of depression, my pastor said that those pivotal, perilous times are like walking through a fire tunnel, and God says, “We can’t go around, over or under; we have to go through, but I’ll be right with you, and we’ll come out on the other side, and you will be OK, even stronger and purer!” That stuck with me when I couldn’t seem to recall scripture. It was true. The Lord was Emmanuel for me then in that fiery furnace, and I will never forget it or stop thanking him. Thanks for this wonderful post.
What a great post. I’ve pondered on it before I commented. Nothing really profound to say. It is such a blessing that He is with us in the fire or He carries us through and I’m like Ang…I loved it that they didn’t even smell like smoke…they should have. My son is a firefighter and boy do they smell like smoke after they have made a fire. God is truly a refining God….it does hurt when He is getting dross out of our lives, but oh, the beauty that comes from the ashes. Thank you for every word you wrote in this post. Blessings.
I love how God shows each one of us something different, and yet it is all something that we need to hear.
“The work of each [one] will become [plainly, openly] known (shown for what it is); for the day [of Christ] will disclose and declare it, because it will be revealed with fire, and the fire will test and critically appraise the character and worth of the work each person has done.” 1 Cor. 3:13 amplified
love,
karen
I love how they didn’t even smell like smoke!!!
Thank you for the reminder that He is not in heaven coaching me, or beside me, but ever present!
Love you,
Angie xoxo
Annie
What an inspirational reminder that through my heated and hardest times the Lord is with me. Not looking down on me, but walking beside me. It makes it seem easier to walk through, Or easier to look back and know that He was there through it!
Your Siesta
Angie
I keep showing up at your old place! I have to re-bookmark you! How wonderful it is that as the refining fire and hammer of His Word is having its way with me He is right there in my ever present!
Annie, that was a powerful message…. I pray that the dross in my life would be cleansed by the Refiner’s fire!
Have a blessed day
So true about the fire. He either delivers you or carries you through the fire. It was great to see pics of the fam. We use to be the hang out house. My husband is filling in our pool this fall, as a result it is green and I don;t look or go into the backyard.
Love, A2
I have to remember where to find you now. I need to change the link on my blog to your new blog. Okay, now the administrative issues are out of the way—
I love the story of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego! I like their faith, esp. the part, “but if”. They knew HE was able, but that HE is sovereign and did not deny it. That ministers to me everytime I read it.
His Word–fire! I need HIS healing fire! I need HIM to give me life. I want to be more sensitive to hear HIM and corrected quickly.
Great post! Much love & blessings to you in Christ our Lord!
Engrafted by His Grace-