“Wherefore glorify ye the LORD in the fires, even the name of the LORD God of Israel in the isles of the sea.” ~ Isaiah 24:15 

In the Scriptures, fire is often seen as a means of testing and trials. Peter reminds us, “ That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honour and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ:” In fact, the words of Peter very closely echo the words of the Prophet Isaiah! 

The question is not, “Will we ever find ourselves being tested in the fires?” but rather, “When we are tested in the fires, how will we respond?” Will we echo the words of Job’s beleaguered wife and “Curse God and die!”? Or will we imitate the faith of Paul and Silas, and pray and sing praises to God, even as we sit in our bonds and chains? 

In a few weeks, I will compete in the Northeast Regional Powerlifting Championships. I will find myself standing before several judges and will submit myself to the heaviest weights I’ve ever attempted. Of course, I hope to succeed and complete each lift, but there is always another thought going through my mind in those moments. I want to make my trainer proud. He has invested so much time, study, and effort into my training and I want him to see that HIS hard work has paid off.  

When we are in the fires, let us have a heart that says, “I want my God to be glorified in my life, my spirit, and my words as these fires test me!” Our God is worthy of all praise, especially when we are in the fires! 

Pastor Bish