Fan the Flame
I am captivated by fire.
The spark, flame, and warmth have always filled me with joy.
The flickering of a fireplace, as I snuggle in to read on a rainy day - pure perfection.
I remember watching, awestruck, by my Papa Hurt’s ability to burn a match from end to end.
My obsession has even driven me to save YouTube videos of roaring flames, to display at Christmas.
But my all-time favorite way to enjoy this magnificent wonder is in the great outdoors.
I sit perched, a safe distance away, and get lost in the blaze of a campfire.
The crackle.
The smell.
The dancing embers.
In a word…Glorious!
The stories, laughter, and music…so many precious memories come to mind, as I stare aimlessly into the glow.
Did you know that fire is referenced more than five hundred times in scripture?
Both in the literal and figurative sense… The image of fire is used to represent power, wrath, and awe.
Fire depicts God’s faithful presence with Moses.
Both in the wilderness encounter of Exodus 3 and again when Moses fulfilled God’s calling for the children of Israel in fleeing Egypt.
“To the Israelites the glory of the LORD looked like a consuming fire on top of the mountain.” Exodus 24:17, NLT
God’s deliverance from the flames is revealed in the narrative of Daniel 3, as His devout followers refuse to compromise their convictions.
Their unwavering commitment to the “one true” God sustained them in the furnace, delivering them safely from its clutches.
In addition, fire, is spoken of figuratively throughout scripture.
James compares the tongue to a flame of fire, rapidly destroying anyone in its path.
“…But a tiny spark can set a great forest on fire. And among all the parts of the body, the tongue is a flame of fire…” James 3:5-6, NLT
Nevertheless, the image that I find most intriguing, is that of precious metal being refined by fire, in reference to the testing of our faith.
In Biblical history, refiners used fire as a method for purging gold and other precious metals of imperfections. As the gold liquified in the flame, it caused impurities to rise to the surface making them easier to remove.
Peter referred to the gold-refining process as a metaphor for the way trials work in the lives of believers.
At that time, many Christ-followers were being persecuted by the Romans for their faith.
As Peter experienced those trials firsthand, he explained that persecution, brings out the “genuineness of [our] faith”.
As Christ-follower today, we too endure suffering of various kinds. And it is in the face of hardship that our source of strength is revealed.
“The setbacks, illness, pain, and challenges we experience in this life, may be the very method by which God purifies the ‘gold’ within our faith.”
“Fire tests the purity of silver and gold, but the Lord tests the heart.”
Proverbs 17:3, NLT
In our moments of testing, we may plead with God to hasten the process. However, He knows what’s best for us, especially when life’s chaos consumes.
When you feel the heat of the refiner’s-fire, I encourage you to lean heavily on the Lord.
For it’s in the midst of our refining, dear reader, that we allow Him to remove impurities that hinder us from becoming a beautiful masterpiece.
One crafted, in His image - ready and willing to do His will.
“Dear friends, don’t be surprised at the fiery trials you are going through, as if something strange were happening to you. Instead, be very glad—for these trials make you partners with Christ in his suffering, so that you will have the wonderful joy of seeing his glory when it is revealed to all the world.”
1 Peter 4:12-13, NLT
I pray these lyrics encourage you to call upon the ONE who refines your faith.
Refiner’s Fire - Brian Doerksen
Purify my heart, let me be as gold
And precious silver
Purify my heart, let me be as gold
Pure gold
Purify my heart, cleanse me from within
And make me holy
Purify my heart, cleanse me from my sin
Deep within
Refiner's fire, my heart's one desire
Is to be holy, set apart for you, Lord
I choose to be holy, set apart, for you my master
Ready to do your will