The Daily Word of Righteousness

In the Fire With the Lord, continued

And the God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will himself restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast. (I Peter 5:10—NIV)

Remember always to pray, because some have not sought healing believing God had afflicted them so they would not be lifted up in pride. They might have been healed had they prayed earnestly. Don't get fooled by this. Always pray that you may be delivered and have joy returned to you. Eventually it shall take place. A gloomy Christian is a defeated Christian. We can find joy wherever we are, although some of our trials are quite painful for a season.

Cowardice, unbelief, vileness, murder, immorality, witchcraft, idolatry, and lying are removed from us and put beneath our feet as we wait faithfully in the prison where we have been placed.

When the Lord has you in a place of waiting, be careful that you don't bolt and set out to "do great things for God."

Who among you fears the LORD and obeys the word of his servant? Let him who walks in the dark, who has no light, trust in the name of the LORD and rely on his God. But now, all you who light fires and provide yourselves with flaming torches, go, walk in the light of your fires and of the torches you have set ablaze. This is what you shall receive from my hand: You will lie down in torment. (Isaiah 50:10,11—NIV)

God has given us a splendid example of what it means to walk in the fire with God. It is the story of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego.

These three heroes of faith were bound in their clothes and thrown into a superheated furnace. Nebuchadnezzar saw four men in the furnace because the three young men were in the fire with Jesus.

The remarkable thing is that the fire had no effect on the three saints other than to burn away whatever they were bound with.

And the satraps, prefects, governors and royal advisers crowded around them. They saw that the fire had not harmed their bodies, nor was a hair of their heads singed; their robes were not scorched, and there was no smell of fire on them. (Daniel 3:27—NIV)

When Nebuchadnezzar called to them the three walked out, no longer being bound. How marvelous to be in the fire with the Lord!

When you are going through a really severe testing you may believe you are not going to survive. All is lost! But when you emerge you will discover nothing really was destroyed except your bondages.

Does suffering remove our bondages?

Therefore, since Christ suffered in his body, arm yourselves also with the same attitude, because he who has suffered in his body is done with sin. As a result, he does not live the rest of his earthly life for evil human desires, but rather for the will of God. (I Peter 4:1,2—NIV)

Yes, suffering changes us so we do not desire to sin any longer. Suffering is a part of the program of redemption.

Not only so, but we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. (Romans 5:3,4—NIV)

We enter the Kingdom of God through much tribulation.

To be continued.