Focus: Faith Facing Fire

Text: Isa.43:2

"I will be with thee…when thou walkest through the fire."

While David talks about walking through the valley of the shadow of death, Isaiah talks about walking through the fire. These are two dangerous scenarios - the shadow of death and the fire of trouble or affliction. It's consoling to know that no trouble is a home or house to live, but a path to go through. It is a pathway to a wonderful destination. The fire of affliction is not a residence for anyone.

In this world we live in, is there ever a day of no troubles? We are used to saying, 'One day, one trouble.' Now, it's like one day, many troubles. The world is a kind of factory where troubles are manufactured. Everyone seems to be suffering something in one way or another. Sorrow abounds in our world. Men's hearts are failing them on daily basis because of hardship. Danger looms all around us and fear creeps into our hearts.

Let me ask you: What's the reason for your suffering? Are you suffering for your faith in Christ or for your foolhardiness? Are you suffering for being godly or for being poor? Are you suffering for your virtue or for your vice? Are you suffering for your greed and pride or for your integrity and humility? Is your suffering caused by God, by Satan, by you, by others in your life, or by natural or national crises?

The suffering of Job resulted from his integrity or faith. The enemy wanted to bring him to a place where he would deny God or curse Him. His faith in God was at stake. But he survived in the end and was celebrated and doubly blessed by God.

The three Hebrew boys were thrown into a furnace of fire heated seven times because of their faith in God. They were in Babylon's fire not because of any crime that they had committed against the kingdom, but because of their belief in their God. Before they were thrown into the fire, their God was already in the fire waiting for them. They enjoyed the largesse and security of the divine presence. They were not in any ways hurt or harmed by the fire. In fact, Daniel reports, "The princes, governors, and captains…saw these men, upon whose bodies the fire had no power" (Dan.3:27). The fire of Babylon lost their consuming power over their bodies. God stood by them. Nebuchadnezzar, bamboozled and shocked by God, declared, "Blessed be the God of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, who hath sent his angel, and delivered his servants that trusted in him, and have changed the king's word, and yielded their bodies, that they might not serve nor worship any god, except their own God" (Dan.3:28). 

Faith in Christ attracts attacks. Faith in God suffers persecution. Faith endures pressures brought against it. Our faith faces diverse trials, but it ultimately prevails.

Paul tells us that we shall enter the kingdom through much tribulations. Interestingly, God equips the believer with manifold grace to overcome manifold temptations.

After Norm Williams survived the horrible plane mishap that killed 582 passengers, he said, "I felt like I was programmed to survive." Norm Williams saw the plane disappear in a flaming inferno, and that was after he had managed to jump out of the plane thirty feet to the ground, injuring his ankle. 

God is an awesome deliverer. God is a gracious rescuer of both those who trust in Him and those who do not.

Ensure that your faith is the reason for most of your sufferings! Paul talks about great trial of affliction. James talks about the trying of our faith. Peter describes it as "the trial of your faith," and "fiery trial." The author of Hebrews talks about those who "had trial of cruel mockings and scourgings, yea, moreover of bonds and imprisonment" (Heb.11:36). The Lord Jesus Christ talks about affliction or persecution arising on account of the word in our hearts (Mk.4:17). But regardless of how immense or intense the trial of faith is, faith always and finally wins.

Because of your faith, your God will nullify the decrees of kings and neutralize the force of fire. Your faith may be facing some intense heat right now, but I assure you, you will come through it, basking in the glory of Christ.

by Bishop Moses E. Peter