Last week we discussed our trials by water. Today, I want to share with you what the Lord told me about trials by fire. The trials by fire transform us. Fire changes absolutely everything it touches. Fire can produce losses. A trial by fire is painful because fire consumes, destroys, or purifies what goes through it. A trial by fire changes us so much that even the people around us recognize we are no longer the person we used to be before our trial.
David left Saul’s palace as a good warrior who played the harp. After a lengthy trial by fire, David returned to the palace as a King and a Prophet. As a young man, when he killed Goliath, no one was willing to stand by him. As a King, he had an army of legendary soldiers ready and willing to die for Him. Fire changes the way we see people and the way people see God in us.
The person, who fails a trial by fire, might get angry, bitter, and even leave God. He sees God as guilty of his losses or indifferent to his pain. In either case, his relationship with God suffers, for how are we to love someone who willingly causes us pain or does not care about our suffering?
Many might ask why God allow us to go through such trials if He knows we might fail them. He does it because He knows the results of such trials when we emerge victoriously, which is His only goal. We need to remember that we do not go through trials alone. Even if it does not seem like He is, God is with us every step of the way.
God also does not test us beyond our capacities. 1 Corinthians 10:13 says, “No temptation has overtaken you except what is common to mankind.” God is faithful; He will not let us be tempted beyond what we can bear, and He provides a way out when we are tempted.
Lastly, our trials by either water or fire are worthwhile. I am convinced that trials by water produce revival, for when a church knows its God, it testifies to His power. God’s power tends to bring unbelievers to Christ. Revival is not a meeting full of God’s presence; that should be our routine. Revival occurs when unbelievers come to Christ in large numbers, and the church of Jesus Christ experiences mass growth.
Trials by fire produce glory. When God’s people are purified by fire, they attract God’s transformational presence, healing power, and holiness. God’s glory will sustain the church in these dark times until the Rapture. Now more than ever, the Church of Jesus needs such glory.
In conclusion, my dear friend, if you are going through deep waters, do not fight them. Let God take you through it. Grab hold of His hand, and no matter how high those waters get, remember every wave must obey the voice of who is sustaining you.
If you are going through the fire wondering what else you will lose, surrender everything to God. You will not lose any relationship worth keeping, any material thing God cannot restore, and no loved one you will not see again if they are saved. Soon your trial will end, and you will see its fruit and purpose. Either your faith will be stronger, or you’ll look more like Christ. Either way, the church gets stronger, and you win.
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