Through The Fire

The prophet Isaiah says this, “When you pass through the waters, I will be with you, and through the rivers, they shall not overflow you. When you walk through the fire, you shall not be burned, nor shall the flame scorch you” Is. 43:2.

Notice this verse does not say “if ” you pass through the fire, it says “when” you pass through the fire.

This is precisely what we should do when fiery trials come our way. We should exercise our faith before, during, and after our walk through the fire. 

Also realize that you don’t set up camp and live in the fire, you “walk through” the fire. In the fire you are constantly progressing and moving forward.

Isaiah says that the fire will not be kindled against you. God will not allow you to stay in the fire longer than you can endure it. Your fire will not last forever, and by walking through it you will eventually walk in a higher dimension with God.

Fire is a place of purification that increases your wisdom and understanding. Even Jesus passed through the fire. Heb. 5:8 says, “Though He was a Son, yet He learned obedience by the things which He suffered.”

A test or trial is when something in our life goes contrary to the way things are supposed to be, as outlined in the Word of God. Since we have arrayed against us an enemy who is a thief who comes to kill, steal, and destroy, almost daily we will be faced with the task of confronting the hosts of darkness.

Certainly a test or trial will create a need in our lives, and God has chosen faith in His Word as the avenue through which Christians get those needs met.

Our faith in God and our willingness and ability to believe the Holy Scriptures will be tested with each and every trial. Faith needs a challenge, and will get it’s greatest opportunity for use through the tests and trials that come our way in day-to-day living.

God’s Word builds your faith up, but only tests and trials will allow your faith to go into action and operate. When all is said and done, we should not ask God to give us an easier life, but ultimately our goal should be to be made stronger in Him.

In his second letter to the Thessalonian church Paul commends his fellow believers for having a faith that “grows exceedingly” 2 Thess. 1:3. The Bible teaches that faith “comes” by hearing and hearing by the Word of God, but how does faith “grow”? The answer is found in the next verse. “And this is a cause of our mentioning you with pride among the churches of God for your steadfastness - your unflinching endurance and patience - and your firm faith in the midst of all the persecutions and crushing distresses and afflictions under which you are holding up” 2 Thess. 1:4 AMP.

The Message© Bible goes on to say, “All this trouble is a clear sign that God has decided to make you fit for the kingdom. You’re suffering now, but justice is on the way. When the Master Jesus appears out of heaven in a blaze of fire with His strong angels, He’ll even up the score by settling accounts with those who gave you such a bad time. His coming will be the break we’ve been waiting for.” When faith comes, it must always be tested by fire, because God wants a pure and glorious church without spot or wrinkle Eph. 5:27.

 Is your faith like pure gold,or is it cheap gold plating?

Faith is exercised and grows in the midst of persecutions and afflictions. This is why it is so important to stay in the Word and pass through the fire when tests and trials come. 

Ps. 12:6 says, “The words of the Lord are pure words, like silver tried in a furnace of earth, purified seven times.”

Most often it is in the fire when we recognize the grace and mercy of God. The main thing the devil wants from you is your faith. Without faith you are no threat to him. Satan’s goal is to keep you distracted and ignorant of the truth that will set you free.

We need to realize that by himself, Satan has never won a battle yet. He is a total failure and cannot defeat you without your permission. Permission is granted to him each and every time we run away from our tests and trials, and when we refuse to do anything about them.

2 Thess. 1:5, 11 says that our worthiness to God is proven by our passing through the fire.

Don’t try to get out of all your troubles by ignoring them or by taking the easy way out. You must pass through the fire! How? By using your faith! Your faith will not fail if you continue hearing– and hearing– and hearing– and hearing the Word of God.

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