Trusted ... in flames

Good Morning Friends!

Happy Saturday to you. It is quite frigid here in Virginia Beach, VA today.

However, it has created the perfect opportunity to sit quietly in the house with a comforting cup of coffee – a very large one. It was much needed after my day yesterday. And, while I will not go into detail, it got me thinking back to a post that I had written several years ago, ‘Trusted ... with the flame, in the flame’

In that post, I shared a verse from Leviticus 6:12-13 ‘The fire on the altar must be kept burning; it must not go out. Every morning the priest is to add firewood and arrange the burnt offering on the fire and burn the fat of the fellowship offerings on it. The fire must be kept burning on the altar continuously; it must not go out’

That verse speaks to a time when the priests had the responsibility of interceding on behalf of the people. In the post, I noted how we – as the people of God – now have an individual and personal responsibility to ensure that the flame [our passion, commitment and zeal] does not go out. It should not be extinguished. But, it is also not just about us individually.

‘Those who have demonstrated an ability to be trusted with the flame can likewise be trusted in the flames.’

This morning I started off reading the book of Job, verse 42:10

‘After Job prayed for his friends, the LORD restored his fortunes and gave him twice as much as he had before.’

Now – it has been long debated the reasons for all of the calamities which Job encountered [losing children, riches, favor, friends, wealth and health]. Although, God Himself declared – before granting the enemy permission to test him – declared, “There is no one on earth like him; he is blameless and upright, a man who fears God and shuns evil."

So – why is there such debate over what happened to Job?

I believe, people would like to find fault with Job as some sort of justification for the intense suffering he endured. They find it hard to grasp that the LORD would permit such devastation to someone who was righteous. They would like to convince themselves that if they only avoid whatever it is that Job did, that the same catastrophes will not happen to them. Yet, what most people fail to realize is that, Job’s losses may have had less to do with him and more to do with his wife, his friends, his extended family and other individuals where he lived.

Job knew who he served and in whom he had placed his trust. He was like the individual who would not let the flame of his passion for the LORD to be extinguished. He proved he could be trusted with the flame – and therefore was trusted in the flames.

It was his friends who needed to have an encounter with the LORD. God Himself said of them, “My wrath is kindled against you and against your two friends, because you have not spoken of Me what is right as My servant Job has.” Job 42:7

His wife, siblings and neighbors likely experienced a benefit from his situation as well.

Because the LORD is always focused on drawing people to Himself, and because Job demonstrated faithfulness in being trusted with the flame, he was likewise trusted with the flames of trial. Yet even in these circumstances, he had a choice on whether to remain in the circumstance. His wife encouraged him to ‘curse God and die!’ [Job 2:9] How is that for encouragement?! Yet Job was unmoved.

Years ago – the LORD asked me this question:

‘Will you stay in the fire long enough for someone else to see Jesus?’

Job – he stayed in the fire, granting those around him the ability to see the LORD. And, we have no idea the full impact that he had within the sphere of influence that the LORD entrusted him with.

Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego – they literally stayed in the fire long enough for others to see Jesus [Daniel 3:16-29]

Daniel – he stayed in the fire [also known as the lion’s den] long enough for others to know [to see] the God who saved him and kept him [Daniel 6:19-27]

Paul – he stayed in the fire of persecution, challenges and repeated imprisonments so that others could see Jesus [Acts 16:25-34; Acts 28:17-20, 30]

So, I ask you this…

§  Have you kept your flame for the LORD burning bright?

§  Have you demonstrated your ability to be trusted with the flame?

§  Are you using your flame [your passion & drive for the LORD] to be a service to others?

§  Can you be trusted in the flames?

§  Will you stay in the fire long enough for someone else to see Jesus?

I don’t know what your ‘fire’ is. However, it must be understood that you drawing near to God and having a passion for Him will never be the only requirement. It is a good start but never the end. One’s passion for God must overflow into collaboration with God – to reach a hurting world.

‘Those who have demonstrated an ability to be trusted with the flame can likewise be trusted in the flames.’

A little perspective helps make any challenge a little more bearable.

Praying the rest of your weekend is peace-full, purpose-driven, relaxing & rejuvenating.

Blessings!