Of course, all of those things would be important to grab, but if there was limited time to get out of the flames, I would be sure that my children and my husband were out safely. The pictures and other important things to me would easily fade from my thoughts until I knew my loved ones were safe from the fire. I would even go so far as to say that I would remain in the burning house until they were all out safely. I love them that much, that I would risk being burned or even dying to save them.
When I think about standing in the fire, I always think about Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego. The story of the 3 men thrown into the fire pit. As the guards laughed and tormented them, they realized that the 3 men were not alone in the raging fire. They spotted a 4th man in the fire. Of course, you and I know that the 4th man was God.
Isn't it just like God to stand in the fire with us?
Of course, you and I may not literally stand in the flames of fire, but sometimes trials and tribulations feel like a consuming fire. As the heat gets turned up and the flames get higher and higher, we can always look and know that God will be standing in the midst of the fire with us. He would never allow His children to go thru the flames alone.
Moses understood about what it was like to go thru the fire. God saw Moses thru alot of battles, and thru it all, God remained. It was the one constant thing that Moses could depend upon. God's strength. His Character. His power and most importantly His promise!
"Moses answered the people, "Do not be afraid. Stand firm and you will see the deliverance the Lord will bring you today. The Egyptians you see today you will never see again. The Lord will fight for you; you need only to be still." - Exodus 14:13-14
Today on THANKFUL THURSDAY, I am thankful for the fire!
That's right! You heard me correctly...
I am thankful for the flames because it is through the fire that I depend upon God the most and knowing that He is standing in the flames with me encourages me and strengthens me and reminds me of His promise...He will never leave me nor forsake me!
What are you thankful for today? Share your grateful heart with us by linking up below! Happy TT!
13 comments:
Hi Laurie:
I took am thankful for the fire - for the refiner's fire. I think of the story of a silversmith. He keeps putting the vessel back into the fire to remove the impurities. When asked how long he would continue to place it in the fire he answered, "Until I can see my image in it."
Blessings,
Joan
Yes, the fires of life, though difficult, always draw us closer to God. As Joan said, it reminds of the refiners fire - purifying us.
Happy Thankful Thursday.
Our two blogs almost go hand in hand. God with us in the Valleys of life and with us through all the fire!
Loved your blog and the assurance that God has a reason for every season in our lives. That makes the fire easier to withstand.
Such a beautiful reminder and it's true, often the fires bring us the closest to God!
I love that He stands in the fire with us. I'm not sure I can say I welcome the fire, but I know that it's for my good. Thanks for sharing this! Blessings!
That's true. He always has a reason and he's always with us through the flames.
I wonder why I can't successfully register my post..
http://www.gracefulwalk.com/2011/05/soyjoy-from-celebration-church.html
this is very encouraging! God bless you!
Hi Laurie,As always thank you for hosting TT this month. I too am thankful for the refiners fire that gets rid of my dross. For many years we lived near open space/state park so fire was always a major concern. Like you there were times when I thought we'd have to evacuate and wondered what was most important, after family and pets to take with me. I'm so thankful that the Lord has promised never to forsake us.
Blessings, Noreen
I am thankful also for the fire, Laurie. The current test has taught me so much about myself and what God needs to burn off.
Happy Thursday!
Mary
Looking back, I am always grateful for the fires of trials, and see their value, but in the fire I am grateful for the Lord's presence. I cling to Him and though I think I'm hanging on to Him, I know He's holding me, not just walking with me, and I am so grateful.
Blessings, Laurie, and thanks for hosting and sharing your heart,
Wendy
I like Joan's comment above, so I'm just going to say DITTO!
Amen, I am also thankful for the fire sweet friend.
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