Notes of Faith October 6, 2024
His Burnings
Back in the days of the Jesus Movement (or Jesus Revolution) in the late sixties, early seventies, there were many bumper stickers such as, “One Way”, “Honk if You Love Jesus”, and “IXOYE”, with the fish symbol.
A minister friend of mine who possessed a great wit said he was thinking of creating a bumper sticker that said, “Smile, our God is a consuming fire!”
He felt that perhaps the “consuming fire” reference found in Hebrews 12:29 might present a balanced perspective to be weighed against a lot of the feel good emotionally oriented verbiage and activity that often saturated this new movement. There of course is nothing wrong with feeling good or being emotional. But, in the grand scheme of things, there must also be an acknowledgement of the fact that in the broader scope of life and eternity’s realities, we will also experience His “burnings.” This is clearly revealed in scripture.
Now, what do I mean by….His burnings? There are numerous references in scripture to consuming, purifying, and refining fire.
“Behold, I have refined you, but not as silver; I have tried you in the furnace of affliction” (Isaiah 48:10). “So that the proof of your faith, being more precious than gold which is perishable, even though tested by f ire, may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ” (I Peter 1:7).
In I Corinthians 3:13-15 we are reminded that ultimately our works on earth will be tested by fire in order to reveal that which is of lasting eternal value.
So fire tests, fire purifies, and fire reveals. There is a way in which the “fires of affliction”, which we often endure, accomplish all of the above.
Let me offer an illustration which may bring understanding and may address a particular situation you are presently experiencing.
A dear friend of mine and his wife have a grown daughter who recently was diagnosed with two forms of life threatening cancer. It was looking pretty “dark” during the process of treatment, chemo, and various protocols. Hospice care entered into the picture at one point as the “finish line” seemed to be rapidly approaching. Then, miracle of miracles, after much prayer and petition, the cancer was gone, and as I write this letter, it is still gone…praise God!
However, in the weeks and months since the wonderful cancer free proclamation, numerous other challenges and maladies have arisen, perhaps due to her body’s hyper immune activity. Maybe some of the drugs created complications. She’s had some real good days, feeling like she’s turned a corner, only to be followed by some traumatic events that created real discouragement. I understand this roller coaster ride that can occur when you get good news only to be followed by the bad. Sometimes it seems our greatest victories are followed by great defeats.
I remember one time, years ago, when my wife Linda was being biopsied once again, a couple years after her initial diagnosis, surgery, and chemo.
A nurse called us into a waiting room and reported that the biopsy looked all clear. We were so relieved, and rejoiced greatly! Within minutes the doctor called and said he was so sorry that we had received that report, in error. In fact, the biopsy revealed more cancer. We were devastated! From the mountaintop to the bottom of the canyon in mere moments.
Have you been there? Are you there now? How and why does God let this happen? I have a perspective that references His burnings and I pray it may encourage you.
Just a couple days ago I texted my friend’s daughter, whom I previously referenced, and shared with her a thought I now share with you.
I came across a devotional thought I had written a couple years ago in Mile Markers Through the Desert.
September 2nd reads: “The finest china is burned multiple times so that the gold and crimson are brought out more beautifully. As with my wife’s journey with cancer; it came back several times, not because of lack of faith or some aspect of personal failure, but that the beauty of His burnings might be fastened there to stay.”
“The beauty of His burnings”…what a seemingly paradoxical idea! I have two friends who have been badly burned, almost beyond recognition, yet those burnings brought a perspective on the value of life, and a sense of God’s grace that has not only greatly benefited their lives, but so many others as well. God really does bring beauty from ashes!
Are you in the fires of affliction just now? Has bad news assaulted your senses? Was everything going along pretty well but now there’s been a real setback?
A reminder: This IS what we signed up for! I present my body as a living sacrifice; holy, acceptable unto You, which is my reasonable service of worship (Romans 12:1).
Sacrifice denotes death, shedding of blood, and often fire. Perhaps this sounds morbid or depressing to some; but to the humble, obedient Christian who has died to self, taken up their cross daily, and is following Christ, it shouldn’t. We used to sing:
Some through the waters, some through the flood
Some through the fire, but all through the blood;
Some through great sorrow, but God gives a song
In the night season and all the day long.
(George Young 1903)
Remember… the three Hebrew boys, (Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednigo), found their freedom in the midst of the fiery furnace. We too have that same Son of God in the midst of our fiery trial. May the testings of our fiery trials purify our hearts and lives, and reveal the beauty of His Burnings!
“Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery ordeal among you, which comes upon you for your testing, as though some strange thing were happening to you; but to the degree that you share the sufferings of Christ, keep on rejoicing; so that also at the revelation of His glory, you may rejoice with exultation” (I Peter 4:12-13).
In Christ,
Dallas Holm
No matter what our circumstance God is always there. He knew what was coming before it happened. He knows what the results will be…how we will respond to those circumstances and move forward. Hard things do come to us all and we must trust that God is perfecting us for His glory and name’s sake! Even in such trying times, let us rejoice in God!
Pastor Dale
