Faith in the Fire

"Like clay in the hand of the potter, so are you in my hand." (Jeremiah 18:6 NIV)

 The Bible is very definite. God is shaping us into the image of His Son and His tools for shaping us are the circumstances that enter our lives through His hands of protection and love.

And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. For those God foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brothers and sisters. (Romans 8:28-9 NIV)

• Knowing that God was at work in the circumstances of his life enabled Joseph to see his brothers' treachery as an instrument to move him from his comfy existence in his father's family in Canaan to the upper reaches of the Egyptian government. Genesis 50:20  
• Knowing that God was at work in the circumstances of his life enabled David, while running from Absalom, to stay faithful to God when cursed by Shimei . 2 Samuel 16
• Knowing that God was at work in the circumstances of the coming cross enabled Jesus to continue his trip to Jerusalem (Luke 18:31)

 Confidence that God is in charge of the circumstances that enter our lives and that they are His tools to shape us into the image of His Son converts the bummers of this life into gold. This confidence that God is at work in me (Philippians 2:13) transforms my view of the vicissitudes of life into seeing them as part of God's master plan. Let's face it, when the courts don't rule in our favor, when the other party gets away with leaving us in the lurch, when we are abandoned by those closest to us, we are just beginning to look like Jesus.

Yes, this is not the popular, "trust Jesus and everything will turn out wonderful" message that we often hear from our pulpits. We hear our pastors tell us that God will be a pillar of fire and cloud to protect us, so we should expect Him to show up in our boldness and courage. However, the lesson of the cross is that God will just as often show up in the pain and trial of life, when those around us or circumstances tend to squeeze the life out of us. Boldness and courage, yes, but to offer the sacrifice of praise (Heb. 13:15)--thanking God when the hard stuff of the universe impacts me along with those close to me--that's faith!!

The sacrifice of praise is described in practical terms in Romans 8:28-39--believing that God is at work in spite of the painful trials that come our way, and thanking him for the spears, the nails, the cross--because we know God is doing something good in them, even though they hurt!!!