Forged in Fire: “The Blacksmith”
When we experience seasons of “fire” in our lives, our immediate response is to run, or cry out. However, it’s important that we stop and ask this: Who is responsible for this fire? It is me? Is it the enemy? Is it God? If you have set things on fire in your life, God will never leave you as you walk through the natural consequences of your actions. “For He has said: I will never leave you, nor forsake you.’ So we may boldly say: ‘The Lord is my helper; I will not fear. What can man do to me?'” (Hebrews 13:5-6) So, walk with your head held high, even if the fire was your fault. God will walk with you as you walk humbly with your God and He’s not ashamed, so why should you be? (1 Peter 5:5-6)
Iron will burn in the same manner that wood does, so the Forger must be very careful, very intentional and exacting to apply the right amount of heat at the right time so that He can shape and mold the iron into the design He has in mind.
If the enemy has thrust you into the fire, you are not alone! Remember Daniel 3:25: “But I see four men loose and walking in the midst of the fire, and they are unharmed. And the form of the fourth is like the Son of God!” The enemy doesn’t get the final say in your life unless you give it to him. Your unwavering faith in the desire and ability of God to rescue you might mean you’re still in the fire, but He is there and even the heathen will see His power on display and you won’t get burned.
However, if you’re being forged in the fire– that is something entirely unique. When God wants to shape you for His use, the fire is under His control and its heat is used to strengthen you. Iron will burn in the same manner that wood does, so the Forger must be very careful, very intentional and exacting to apply the right amount of heat at the right time so that He can shape and mold the iron into the design He has in mind. Did you know that when iron is done being shaped, it is still so hot from the fire that it will set other things on fire as well? The fire is not only for you, but will affect the rest of the world as you burn for Him!
[Read this next: “Forged in the Fire: The Shaping of Iron”]
“Have not I commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go,” the Lord said in Joshua 1:9. Being “strong” takes courage because you aren’t born strong. You’re born into sin and spiritual weakness. If you want to be pure like silver, you’ll need to undergo the refining process, and if you want to be strong like iron, you’ll need the courage to submit yourself to being forged in the fire.
“When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned; the flames will not set you ablaze,” the Lord promised in Isaiah 43:2. Did you catch that? When you are in HIS fire, you won’t be burned because He knows exactly the right amount of fire needed to make you pliable, soft and workable. The flames of HIS fire won’t burn you or turn you into ash. They won’t destroy you. HIS fire will forge you into what He had in mind all along.
Thought for today
The Lord loves you so very much that He will do whatever it takes to shape a piece of iron that will go willingly into the Forger’s fire. In Isaiah 44:12, the Lord said, “The man shapes iron into a cutting tool and does his work over the coals, fashioning it with hammers and working it with his strong arm. He also gets hungry and his strength fails; he drinks no water and becomes weary.” Do you realize that the Lord pour Himself out to work with you? To make you stronger? To shape you? He’ll put you into the forging fire as many times as you are willing to go and unlike every, other person on earth, He won’t tire of it. DO YOU REALLY GRASP THAT HIS LOVE FOR YOU ENDURES FOREVER?! (Psalm 136) Don’t fear the fire. If God has you there, BURN FOR HIM.
