GOD GUIDES THROUGH THE FIRES OF LIFE
GOD GUIDES THROUGH THE FIRES OF LIFE
There he built an altar, and he called the place El Bethel, because it was there that God revealed himself to him when he was fleeing from his brother. —Genesis 35:7
But they saw him in the distance, and before he reached them, they plotted to kill him…. So when the Midianite merchants came by, his brothers pulled Joseph up out of the cistern and sold him for twenty shekels of silver to the Ishmaelites, who took him to Egypt… Meanwhile, the Midianites sold Joseph in Egypt to Potiphar, one of Pharaoh’s officials, the captain of the guard.—Genesis 37:18, 28, 36
In the Lord I take refuge. —Psalm 11:1
On the wicked he will rain fiery coals and burning sulfur; a scorching wind will be their lot. For the Lord is righteous, he loves justice; the upright will see his face. —Psalm 11:6-7
It is often during times of difficulty that our Lord reveals Himself to people and guides people according to His purposes. So it was with Jacob as he was fleeing from his brother Esau who wanted to kill him. And also, it was so with Joseph whose brothers wanted to kill him, but instead decided to sell him to Midianite merchants. In both of these situations our Lord God Almighty worked out His purposes as only He can.
So, whatever difficulty we may be experiencing may we trust our Lord God Almighty, Creator and Sustainer of heaven and earth, to work out His purposes in our lives. We can fully trust Him for that! So, “In the Lord I take refuge.” He only is the ultimate safety and eternally so!
The fires of California, how do we explain these? Surely our Lord God Almighty is seeking to get people’s attention through them. He is Sovereign over everything and so—
- He brought these fires about for judgment
- He allowed Satan to bring them about (Satan seeks to destroy, but God works through the difficulty to accomplish His purposes)
- He allowed sinful man to make sinful choices that brought about this difficult situation.
- He is using a combination of these to bring about His purposes.
Consider what Job said about storms—
“The tempest comes out from its chamber, the cold from the driving winds. The breath of God produces ice, and the broad waters become frozen. He loads the clouds with moisture; he scatters his lightning through them. At his direction they swirl around over the face of the whole earth to do whatever he commands them. He brings the clouds to punish people, or to water his earth and show his love. “Listen to this, Job; stop and consider God’s wonders. Do you know how God controls the clouds and makes his lightning flash?” —Job 37:9-15
This I know for a fact— God works through difficult situations, however they came in this sinful fallen world, to get people’s attention. We are not so much in control of things as we think we are. As seen in the California fires, and many other situations, life can change in moments and all that we have can be taken away (Job chapter 1). How should we pray for those in California? That the lost would heed the call of God on their lives and that the saved would serve Him and people in the midst of difficulty. Yes, Dear Father, may this be so by the power of Your Holy Spirit and in the authority of Your Son Jesus. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pYZw0dfLmLk&t=6s