READ: ZECHARIAH 13:8-9
Not all fire that believers
go through is originally their lot. Some of them are self inflicted. If God
asks you to give one tenth as tithe and you say it is too much, what will you
do when He allows your source of livelihood to dry up? Who suffers? Certain
habits some Christians refused to give up have eventually become a thorn in
their flesh. May that not be your portion. May you heed His call early in Jesus
name.
Speaking of Christians and suffering, it seems obvious that only one third of any particular group of people will get to heaven according to today’s reading. That one third must first go through fire. This means God will choose only one third from all the lands, take them through fire and blend their lives before they will rejoice. It is after the fire that they will be able to say, This is our God and will receive divine approval and announcement. All who intend to enter heaven must be ready for divine sandpaper – which will help to get rid of the rough edges in their lives and make them smooth. You shall grow through your fire successfully and come forth as gold prepared for the Master’s use in Jesus name.
“Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you in due time” (1 Peter 5:6). The duration of the fire or sandpaper, however, will be determined by individual response of believers. You are the one to determine how quickly you will get out of the problem. It took the children of Israel 40 years instead of 40 days. Some even perished in their wilderness (fire). How are you responding to God’s fire today? According to 2 Timothy 3:16-17, you can be spared by fire if you willingly learn from the mistakes of others. Also, if you pass through your fire with faith in God, love of His word, humility and submission to His will as well as a readiness to learn your lessons and make necessary adjustment, your stay will not be more than necessary. The choice is yours. In any case, are you a part of the one third that will make it to heaven?
Speaking of Christians and suffering, it seems obvious that only one third of any particular group of people will get to heaven according to today’s reading. That one third must first go through fire. This means God will choose only one third from all the lands, take them through fire and blend their lives before they will rejoice. It is after the fire that they will be able to say, This is our God and will receive divine approval and announcement. All who intend to enter heaven must be ready for divine sandpaper – which will help to get rid of the rough edges in their lives and make them smooth. You shall grow through your fire successfully and come forth as gold prepared for the Master’s use in Jesus name.
“Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you in due time” (1 Peter 5:6). The duration of the fire or sandpaper, however, will be determined by individual response of believers. You are the one to determine how quickly you will get out of the problem. It took the children of Israel 40 years instead of 40 days. Some even perished in their wilderness (fire). How are you responding to God’s fire today? According to 2 Timothy 3:16-17, you can be spared by fire if you willingly learn from the mistakes of others. Also, if you pass through your fire with faith in God, love of His word, humility and submission to His will as well as a readiness to learn your lessons and make necessary adjustment, your stay will not be more than necessary. The choice is yours. In any case, are you a part of the one third that will make it to heaven?
MEMORIZE:
DEUTERONOMY 8:5 –You shall also consider in your heart, that as a man chastens
his son, so the Lord Your God chastens you.
