If I’m hiking and camping out for several days, campfires are vital. And the most important thing I carry with me as I begin each day is a handful of charred sticks from the previous night’s fire. They’re the very best fire starters—no need to find tinder or other sticks. I just spark the charred ends, blow on them, and pile on a few fresh logs.
The charred sticks are dirty, smelly, and appear to be worthless. The reason they’re so useful, however, is that they’ve already been through a fire and the flames prepared them for future use.
Speaking of fire and smoke, why did God allow Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego to face what appeared to be death in an inferno? (Daniel 3:19-21). Why weren’t they afraid of the flames? How could they stand in the fire without being seared as the guards near them died from the intense heat? (Daniel 3:22-24). God was glorified in this amazing story, but perhaps He also used the experience to grow and deepen the trio’s faith. It would be hard to go through an experience like that without being refined and tempered!
There’s no shortcut to being prepared to serve God, and it almost invariably means going through a fire (though thankfully it’s not usually a literal one). Look at how “fire” produces endurance and maturity in James 1:3: “When your faith is tested, your endurance has a chance to grow.”
Just as only a hiker sees the true value in his charred sticks of the night before, the heroes of faith in Hebrews 11 had all been through trials that God used to perfect their faith. He sees the fires of life for what they are: active agents that cause our faith to be burnished, tempered, and fortified for Him.
NLT 365-day reading plan passage for today: Genesis 37:1-36
More:
Read Hebrews 11:32-40 and note the challenges many heroes of the faith endured, but also how they were considered “too good for this world” (Hebrews 11:38).
Next:
What “fires” of life have you faced? How has God continued to prepare and perfect your character through them?
Gary Shultz on January 21, 2016 at 5:52 am
Couldn’t agree with you more. I find now that I’m old why some older people were so “tempered”, kind and loving people. Even though many strengths of youth are gone we have seen God’s work over a life time. We can testify to His faithfulness and of the many things that make God, our Father. I’m glad He will be taking some of us charred, smellydirtyworthless, sticks along to start a new fire. I wish more older saints would be overwhelmed with the great love He has open to us and that we could still burn bright for Him. Thanks Russell.
gagirllive on January 21, 2016 at 6:01 am
This is good, Russell. I love your campfire analogy. Our previous “fires” certainly prepare us and make us useful for the ones to come. In the account of the three Hebrew boys, have you ever noticed how conspicuously absent Daniel is among his friends? Where was he? Maybe this was their defining moment…maybe they had lived their faith prior to this event somewhat vicariously through their friend Daniel. Maybe this was the trial to get them to step into their own faith. And did they ever! I’m greatly encouraged by this story. It helps me to remember as I go through my own “fiery furnace” that God is not an arsonist. He’s a Refiner. It did not slip by my notice that in the fire nothing burned away except the things that bound them. This passage is a good place to camp out in for a while. 🙂 Thanks for leading us there today, Russel.
Tom Felten on January 21, 2016 at 7:55 am
Good thoughts, Russell. In the “heat” of the moment (pun intended), it can be hard to see what God is doing through our trials and challenges. But, yes, as we walk farther down the trail of life we find that he used the hard stuff to make our faith resilient and pure.
jim spillane on January 21, 2016 at 11:45 am
Gary – you are so right. Many of us “older people” have seen our physical strength decrease but our spiritual strength grow and grow. Maybe there are certain advantages to growing old! Blessings to all.