The Father's affection is found in the fire of affliction.
This is one in a series of three articles, where we discuss the internal process that we undergo as we intentionally choose to follow Christ and be conformed into His image.
Who will suffer for my sake? Who is willing to make a stand for me, as I made a stand for you, both in life and in death? Who is willing to leave behind the school yard - the places of play, noise, chatter - and enter into the reality of the Spirit-filled life? There is more joy than you can possibly believe and more beauty than your eyes could see, yet there is a price to pay and a debt to owe. If I gave my life, how much more do you deserve to surrender yours? Only in this process will you find what remains, and in doing so, you'll find the life that I have called you to - the life of absolute joy in absolute surrender.
'Like a true goldsmith, God stops the fire the moment He sees His image in the glowing metal'.
The fire of affliction is a glorious place. It sounds difficult and it truly is but do not be intimidated because what it produces in us is far more beautiful than words can possibly express. The fire of affliction is the place of purification. It is where YHVH, the great Goldsmith, places us within the flames of adversity to bring to the surface what is hidden within the shadows of our hearts, so that by removing the dross - the things of this world - we can shine with the beauty of holiness.
‘But who can endure the day of his coming? Who can stand when he appears? For he will be like a refiner’s fire or a launderer’s soap. He will sit as a refiner and a purifier of silver; he will purify the Levites and refine them like gold and silver. Then the Lord will have men who will bring offerings in righteousness, and the offerings of Judah and Jerusalem will be acceptable to the Lord, as in days gone by, as in former years’. (Malachi 3:2-4).
This is something we will all experience as we press on to maturity in our walk with Christ. It is the process of wiping away the sin nature within and the place where we are equipped to walk in righteousness. This is how we die to the world and how Christ is revealed within us. It is through suffering. This is not the message that many preach but it is the truth. The glory of this is that this is also the place of deep and rich fellowship with the person of Jesus.
Let's look at Daniel 3 and dive into the revelation of what the Father is wanting to reveal to our inner man.
Nebuchadnezzar, King of Babylon, had set up an image of gold that all of those living under his rule were to bow down to and worship when they heard the sound of music. Whoever did not worship was to be thrown into the blazing furnace. The three Jews, Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego, paid no attention to the King’s command and as a result were thrown into the fiery furnace. The King gave them one more opportunity to bow or be burnt and asked them, ‘...“What god will be able to rescue you from my hand?”. They simply replied to him, “King Nebuchadnezzar, we do not need to defend ourselves before you in this matter. If we are thrown into the blazing furnace, the God we serve is able to deliver us from it, and he will deliver us from Your Majesty’s hand. But even if he does not, we want you to know, Your Majesty, that we will not serve your gods or worship the image of gold you have set up.”'
Daniel 3:22-25... The king’s command was so urgent and the furnace so hot that the flames of the fire killed the soldiers who took up Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego, and these three men, firmly tied, fell into the blazing furnace. Then King Nebuchadnezzar leaped to his feet in amazement and asked his advisers, “Weren’t there three men that we tied up and threw into the fire?” They replied, “Certainly, Your Majesty.” He said, “Look! I see four men walking around in the fire, unbound and unharmed, and the fourth looks like a son of the gods.”
The fire, whilst looking like the triumph of the enemy was in reality the place where the three found complete liberty, freedom and victory. Regardless of why you have encountered the fire of affliction within your life, regardless of how it feels within the process, by faith receive it as a gift from the Father. Nothing will infuriate our enemies more than knowing that what was planned for evil, through thanksgiving and praise, we can transmute it into blessing. That is the power we have as believers. Our response is what defines the time and where we place our focus is ultimately where we will end up.
It's important to note that the enemy was not in the furnace. The guards were defeated at the door. The process is where Christ is released and revealed.
Let's go even deeper here. What is the goal of the Gospel and the prize for what Paul ran?
'I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus'.
Philippians 3:14
It is to become like Christ and to receive the same glory that he has been given. This is available to all who overcome.
'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 8:29
I have given them the glory that you gave me, that they may be one as we are one—
John 17:22
The fire is the place where the Christ is released within and around us.
For us in the new covenant, this fire happens within us and the purpose of it is to reveal Christ through our lives. The heart of the Father is for Christ to be seen and perceived by the nations of the world through his body. This happens through oneness, as we all love with the same love that Christ has for each member of his body. You have to die to any other life if you are to truly follow Christ.
'No weapon forged against you will prevail, and you will refute every tongue that accuses you. This is the heritage of the servants of YHVH, and this is their vindication from me,” declares YHVH.
Isaiah 54:17
You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives.
Genesis 50:20
My advice for those experiencing the fire:
Don't get stuck in the 'why' question. Don't get caught trying to discern everything that is happening. Allow trust to arise within you and allow YHVH to take your hand within it, regardless of the fire itself, and walk you through it. Even if it feels like your own doing, a mistake you've made, accept it all as a gift from the Father regardless of the 'why'. He knows the most direct route through and he truly has a way for you. It is certain and secure.
Surely I am always with you, even to the end of the age.
Matthew 28:20
Know that every fire will lead to a promotion and every stripping away of your flesh will lead to a fresh filling of His Glorious Presence.
The invitation is to know him in the process. Take each moment and each day minute by minute if you have to. Be open and transparent to him but allow him to lead, which means having to yield your mind and hearts attention to him rather than you and the circumstances around you. Enter into the higher way, receive His thoughts and live from them rather than your own.
Finally, rejoice. Rejoice in all things and know that this too will pass and you will be far greater because of it.
'Rejoice in the Lord always, I say it again rejoice!
Philippians 4:4
Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.
James 1:2-4
I bless you to endure all things, knowing full well that Christ is being revealed and you are being liberated.
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