Through the Fire

“For you, O God, tested us; you refined us like silver. You brought us into prison and laid burdens on our backs. You let men ride over our heads; we went through fire and water, but you brought us to a place of abundance.”
Psalm 66:10-12

Fires can be extremely dangerous and destructive. Fires can also be of great benefit to the land. Fire; if it is hot enough can turn rock into iron. Fire can make gold and silver pure. The “fires” that sometimes burn through our lives can be beneficial too. 

According to Cal Fire wild fires are beneficial in a number of ways. A wild fire cleans the forest floor, allowing for a healthier, stronger forest. A wild fire improves animal habitat with better quality food and more water. Wild fires kill diseases and insects that hurt the forest and finally some plants actually need the high temperature of a fire to release seeds so they can regenerate. 

The refining process is not unlike a wild fire. Yes, the refiner’s fire is contained and controlled, but it still changes things, it still makes some things better. A piece of rock containing iron ore isn’t worth much in its raw form, you could use the rock for a door stop or a paper weight perhaps. But put it in the fire and impurities are removed, elements that aren’t useful are removed and sometimes other element are added. The result is iron and steel that can be used build all sorts of things. It becomes strong, useful and valuable. The same goes for precious metals - gold and silver become better through the refining process.

Sometimes we face fires in this life of our own making, but God can use those. Sometimes, God sends the fire like the one the Psalmist sings about in this week’s passage. Just like a wild fire can actually purify and strengthen a forest, the fires of this life can and will be used by God to purify and strengthen us. 

No matter what you are facing - health fires, relationship fires, employment fires, financial fires, the fires of loss or any of the many fires we face on this planet - the refining power of that fire will make you purer, stronger, more valuable and more useful. God has an incredible plan full of purpose for you. The heat from the fire is not comfortable, but let it burn and then watch what God will do with you. 

A Prayer
Father - we are taught from a young age not to play with fire and that it a good thing to learn because it is dangerous if we don’t know what we are doing and are not aware of all the fuel that is around us. Thank you, that you know exactly how to handle fire. Thank you that in your hands fire purifies us - makes us stronger and prepares us for the work you have for us. In the name Jesus, who knows what the refining fire feels like, we pray - Amen.