Jesus is at Work
When we think of something being on fire, peace probably isn’t in the top three bullet points we are processing. In our physical world, fire represents destruction initially and then sirens coming to aid. Biblically, we have heard the stories of the fiery furnace and the Holy Spirit representing fire, a fire burning deep in our souls. Is it any wonder that in our natural lean, we run for safety when fire threatens to consume us and even stop, drop, and roll when literally burning? Yet, deep down, we pray for a burning fire that will never be quenched, bringing new revelation to our souls.
It’s difficult for me to embrace something spiritually that feels conflicting physically. However, isn’t that the majority of our faith? What I have found is that when I release control to the One Who made the Fire, hope, faith, joy and peace are all consuming and very near.
Most of the time, I confuse peace with comfort. Or better yet, when I’ve embraced peace for myself, all war breaks out around me. What’s interesting to me is that I find peace interlaced and almost embraced while also being set on fire. Our peace can’t be tethered or connected to our circumstances, because sometimes hard things feel adversely related to our peace or current situation. The first Scripture I reflected on regarding fire and situations that didn’t portray the norm of what I believe peace represents was the fiery furnace.
.
Daniel 3:16-18 “Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego answered King Nebuchadnezzar, “Your threat means nothing to us. If you throw us in the fire, the God we serve can rescue us from your roaring furnace and anything else you might cook up, O king. But even if he doesn’t, it wouldn’t make a bit of difference, O king. We still wouldn’t serve your gods or worship the gold statue you set up.”
The furnace was “seven times hotter than usual.” (Daniel 3:19) Dig down deep. Isn’t this truth also paralleled in our lives? The hotter the fire, the bigger God shows up and out? Prior to being placed in the furnace, Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego proclaimed their stance and why they wouldn’t bow. But to me, the most powerful statement they made was, “But even if He doesn’t.” What a statement. I’m convicted. This reaches into the prideful parts of me and immediately illuminates where I have placed ultimate peace on the hinge of an outcome. It honestly rattles me deep. “Even if He doesn’t” makes me question where my peace lies.
Peace. Stability. Comfort. Safety. I thought those were all one and the same. When life shifts, I realize that what I thought was stability, comfort, and safety in my priorities, responsibilities, and systems was actually pride, not peace. Pride is the illusion that I control my peace. Pride says I don’t need the fire. I make my own peace because I control all things. In truth, when life gets hard, extenuating circumstances are forced on us, reflective situations happen, and things we can’t control are spiraling around us, our peace or pride is what gets flushed to the surface. But thankfully, the goodness of God is always available to redirect and reach deep down in our hearts and show us what real peace does for our souls.
The Word talks about iron on iron in regard to relationships (Proverbs 27), refiners fire (Malachi 3), and burning away the chaff (Matthew 3). None of which sound like a pleasant or comfortable, peaceful experience. If you’ve ever walked through a season of pruning or simplifying or experienced God‘s heavy hand on your life, even to your benefit, you can’t deny those seasons and the heavy weight that they brought. In hindsight, most of us could say we have never felt Jesus closer than in those seasons and in those heavy times.
Is it any question that we might actually identify more with being in the fire because the Holy Spirit fire that burns in us recognizes where it truly belongs and how it is truly sourced. I know it sounds strange to mingle peace and fire together. But the One that brings ultimate peace is also the One that provides the everlasting burning fire inside our souls which allows us to experience the eternal flame of peace.
Sometimes the holidays mask the pain and help us forget the difficulties of life. But what is the reality? What does peace look like when you’re lonely or grieving? Where is hope when your family has rejected you? Where is joy when your belief in humanity is at an all-time low? What does faith look like when all you feel is pain? With this talk of fire and the Holy Spirit, all you may hear is smoke and mirrors. The truth is, He is already waiting; we just have to embrace WHERE we are in the process.
Only Jesus can change situations or people overnight. Our eyes have to be inward and upward. The only One that can heal those scars and offenses is Jesus. The fire we are spewing isn’t the fire He came to give. The fire He brings is the slow burn that prompts us in the dead of night. It’s the next right thing. It’s the work behind the scenes.
When we realize the Holy Spirit Fire in us can show up to any place and bestow peace, Jesus is at work. When we take a moment to affirm the goodness in someone and watch the light come on in their eyes, Jesus is at work. When we ask for eyes to see and they do, Jesus is at work.
As we navigate this season, my prayer for all of us is that we let Jesus show us His hand. Let Him rebuild what appears broken. Release what we are white-knuckling. Re-ignite that deep fire, even the smallest of flames. Our battle today is will we let Him? Will we take an active part in submission? Will we choose the peace He came to give or the pride we are so confident in?
PRAYER: Jesus, let your fire illuminate those things that need to shine and burn away, those things that need to die.
It’s difficult for me to embrace something spiritually that feels conflicting physically. However, isn’t that the majority of our faith? What I have found is that when I release control to the One Who made the Fire, hope, faith, joy and peace are all consuming and very near.
Most of the time, I confuse peace with comfort. Or better yet, when I’ve embraced peace for myself, all war breaks out around me. What’s interesting to me is that I find peace interlaced and almost embraced while also being set on fire. Our peace can’t be tethered or connected to our circumstances, because sometimes hard things feel adversely related to our peace or current situation. The first Scripture I reflected on regarding fire and situations that didn’t portray the norm of what I believe peace represents was the fiery furnace.
.
Daniel 3:16-18 “Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego answered King Nebuchadnezzar, “Your threat means nothing to us. If you throw us in the fire, the God we serve can rescue us from your roaring furnace and anything else you might cook up, O king. But even if he doesn’t, it wouldn’t make a bit of difference, O king. We still wouldn’t serve your gods or worship the gold statue you set up.”
The furnace was “seven times hotter than usual.” (Daniel 3:19) Dig down deep. Isn’t this truth also paralleled in our lives? The hotter the fire, the bigger God shows up and out? Prior to being placed in the furnace, Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego proclaimed their stance and why they wouldn’t bow. But to me, the most powerful statement they made was, “But even if He doesn’t.” What a statement. I’m convicted. This reaches into the prideful parts of me and immediately illuminates where I have placed ultimate peace on the hinge of an outcome. It honestly rattles me deep. “Even if He doesn’t” makes me question where my peace lies.
Peace. Stability. Comfort. Safety. I thought those were all one and the same. When life shifts, I realize that what I thought was stability, comfort, and safety in my priorities, responsibilities, and systems was actually pride, not peace. Pride is the illusion that I control my peace. Pride says I don’t need the fire. I make my own peace because I control all things. In truth, when life gets hard, extenuating circumstances are forced on us, reflective situations happen, and things we can’t control are spiraling around us, our peace or pride is what gets flushed to the surface. But thankfully, the goodness of God is always available to redirect and reach deep down in our hearts and show us what real peace does for our souls.
The Word talks about iron on iron in regard to relationships (Proverbs 27), refiners fire (Malachi 3), and burning away the chaff (Matthew 3). None of which sound like a pleasant or comfortable, peaceful experience. If you’ve ever walked through a season of pruning or simplifying or experienced God‘s heavy hand on your life, even to your benefit, you can’t deny those seasons and the heavy weight that they brought. In hindsight, most of us could say we have never felt Jesus closer than in those seasons and in those heavy times.
Is it any question that we might actually identify more with being in the fire because the Holy Spirit fire that burns in us recognizes where it truly belongs and how it is truly sourced. I know it sounds strange to mingle peace and fire together. But the One that brings ultimate peace is also the One that provides the everlasting burning fire inside our souls which allows us to experience the eternal flame of peace.
Sometimes the holidays mask the pain and help us forget the difficulties of life. But what is the reality? What does peace look like when you’re lonely or grieving? Where is hope when your family has rejected you? Where is joy when your belief in humanity is at an all-time low? What does faith look like when all you feel is pain? With this talk of fire and the Holy Spirit, all you may hear is smoke and mirrors. The truth is, He is already waiting; we just have to embrace WHERE we are in the process.
Only Jesus can change situations or people overnight. Our eyes have to be inward and upward. The only One that can heal those scars and offenses is Jesus. The fire we are spewing isn’t the fire He came to give. The fire He brings is the slow burn that prompts us in the dead of night. It’s the next right thing. It’s the work behind the scenes.
When we realize the Holy Spirit Fire in us can show up to any place and bestow peace, Jesus is at work. When we take a moment to affirm the goodness in someone and watch the light come on in their eyes, Jesus is at work. When we ask for eyes to see and they do, Jesus is at work.
As we navigate this season, my prayer for all of us is that we let Jesus show us His hand. Let Him rebuild what appears broken. Release what we are white-knuckling. Re-ignite that deep fire, even the smallest of flames. Our battle today is will we let Him? Will we take an active part in submission? Will we choose the peace He came to give or the pride we are so confident in?
PRAYER: Jesus, let your fire illuminate those things that need to shine and burn away, those things that need to die.
We'd love to hear from you! Let us know in the comments what God is speaking to you as you read these devotionals. If you haven't already subscribed to receive our devotional emails right to your inbox, hit the subscribe button below and invite your family and friends to subscribe as well! Thank you for being a part of our Opendoor Devotional Community. We appreciate you!
No Comments