“When you walk through the fire....”

“When you walk through the fire....”


We’ve been doing the Beth Moore Bible study of Daniel on Wednesday nights. This past Wednesday we studied the third chapter of Daniel and the trial of fire that Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego faced by choosing not to bow down to the image King Nebuchadnezzar had made. I've been thinking about how that lesson flies in the face of so much of the current "Name it and Claim it" and "Prosperity" type teachings that are out there. (I don't want to call them gospels, because in truth there is only ONE Gospel--see Galatians 1) These teachings appeal to us and our need for comfort and security because who wants to suffer--I don't any more than you. But the TRUTH is that we will face trials--difficult situations that will demand every ounce of strength and courage we have to get through them. I believe one reason why there is so much confusion here is because the Old Testament looks at trials from a "cause and effect" perspective. Very simply, the message of the Old Testament is "Blessings for obedience; Cursings (punishment and testing) for disobedience." However, once we get into the New Testament and especially after the Cross and Resurrection, a shift begins. The focus now becomes getting the bride (Church) ready for her groom (Christ). That means there are areas in our lives that need work--Ephesians and Colossians both refer to putting off the old and putting on the new. The old refers to our former, sin and self-centered way of doing things as compared to the new, which involves the idea of denying self, serving and putting the needs of others before our own.

This process is often accomplished through trials. Romans 5:3-5 makes this point very clear, "...we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out his love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom he has given us." James 1:2-4 also confirms this, "Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything." The trials that we face, as followers of Christ, have the purpose of conforming us--making us look more like--His Son. Romans 8:28-29 makes this point very clear, "And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. For those God foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the likeness of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brothers." His overarching goal for us is become like His Son.

I also want to say that some of the trials that we go through are a result of our own doing--sinful choices that we have made. There will be consequences when we are willfully disobedient. Furthermore, our loving Father disciplines us when we need it. He treats us with love even when, maybe especially when, disciplining us. It proves that we are His children and that He's interested in how we live. It's never pleasant at the time, but it's always for our good. Sometimes it's the only way He can get our attention--I know it has been true in my life, without His discipline I would have continued in my disobedience.

The trials we face have purpose, either to discipline us or to conform us. The thing we have to keep in mind is that our Father loves us--He proved it by giving His Son for us, while we were His enemies. He will never allow our discipline or the refining and conforming trial to be more than we can handle--He will be watching us, with us, at all times during the process. I like what Warren Wiersbe has said: “When God permits His children to go through the furnace, He keeps His eye on the clock and His hand on the thermostat. His loving heart knows how much and how long.”

We have to begin to see our trials from God’s perspective. Few of us ever fully understand the simple but biblical truth—the heat of suffering is a refiner’s fire, purifying the gold of godly character and wisdom. Yes, “When you walk through the fire you shall not be burned, and the flame shall not consume you. For I AM the LORD your God....” (Isaiah 43:2-3) You can put your hope and confidence in this, He will be right there with you as you go through trials because He is your God and He loves you.