Written by Marc Wagner

Fire!

This biblical metaphor is used often to describe trouble, tribulation or testing. It is used to describe a difficult time or event that someone is facing. Daniel 3 is the familiar story of Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego, defying the authority of the land, because of their trust and obedience to God. Though this story has an actual furnace with actual fire, how might it apply to us today, who most likely will never be threatened in this way?

For one thing, these three Hebrew boys stood firm, in that, they chose to stay faithful to what God wanted, instead of bowing or giving in to the demands and pressure that the one in authority was putting on them. We must not forget that every person on the planet will face difficult times, and that will force us to make a choice as to who or what we will follow. Let’s remember Jesus, in John 16:33, said, “In the world you have trouble and suffering, but take courage —I have conquered the world.” If fire is a metaphor for trouble and suffering and Jesus is affirming that we will have this in the world, then we must resolve beforehand that we will not stop looking to Jesus and his words when the “fire” comes. In his promises in Isaiah 43:1b-3a, our heavenly father told us, as well as his people of old:

“Fear not, for I have redeemed you;
I have called you by name, you are mine.
When you pass through the waters, I will be with you;
and through the rivers, they shall not overwhelm you;
when you walk through fire you shall not be burned,
and the flame shall not consume you.
For I am the LORD your God,
the Holy One of Israel, your Savior.”

He has also given us hope through his apostle Paul that he (God) “is faithful. He will not let you be tried beyond what you are able to bear, but with the trial will also provide a way out so that you may be able to endure it.” (I Corinthians 10:13)

I encourage you to put on the helmet of salvation and have faith in the fire. Let us resolve beforehand to keep following Jesus no matter what the cost, because where else will we turn and “to whom shall we go? (Jesus) You have the words of eternal life!” (John 6:68)