I watched a food documentary that spent an hour praising fire. Fire creates chemical changes in texture and flavor. Heat is critical in the preparation of not only meats, but many other foods—casseroles, desserts, soups, breads, even snacks.
The Bible talks a lot about the refiner’s fire: silver must be heated to burn off all the impurities. And many things must endure adversities analogous to fire if they are to reach their potential: oysters make pearls out of sand that creeps inside their shells. Grapes don’t grow unless the leaves are pruned from the vines. Grass looks best when freshly cut. A forest cannot grow without storms. Rain brings life to everything. Even wind is a necessary evil; wind forces roots to grow deeper. Fire, rain, and wind are essential to life.
Storms and fire are essential to spiritual life too. God uses everything you endure to grow you, prune you, and make you more fruitful.
“You refined us as silver is refined, You lured us into a trap. You placed burdens on our backs. You let men ride over our heads. We went through fire and water, BUT YOU BROUGHT US OUT TO ABUNDANCE” Psalm 66:10-12.
The thing is—this is not a scale; nothing balances out. We don’t suffer a ten-pound blow, then receive a ten-pound benefit. Instead, we suffer light affliction then receive benefits too heavy to measure:
“I am convinced the sufferings of this present time are NOT WORTHY TO BE COMPARED to the glory to be revealed to us” Romans 8:18. The glory—the good that is coming—greatly outweighs our suffering. “Our light, momentary affliction is producing in us AN ETERNAL WEIGHT OF GLORY THAT IS FAR BEYOND COMPARISON” 2 Corinthians 4:17.
God, thank you for HOPE! Thank you that no matter how badly we may suffer, You bless us with great rewards, both on earth and in heaven. Thank you that we can face anything with courage, knowing the great things are to come. Thank you for “bringing us into a place of abundance.”
ΑΩ
Household Words: 