Who are you in the fire?
Right now there’s this storm. It’s taken over the world and it’s filled with fear that leads to panic. Panic-buying, fear-obsessing.
I get it.
I get the anxiety. I know the storm. Because symptoms are not pleasant. Lying in bed, gasping for a breath at 4 a.m. isn’t pleasant. Wishing you could have your family with you because you’re not feeling well and all you want is your loved ones – but they’re in Heaven – it’s harder than words can describe.
Coughing fits aren’t fun. Feeling short of breath isn’t fun. Having – what I can only describe – is a demonically-wonky virus is not something I’d wish on anyone. Seeing the reality of this world on the news is heartbreaking.
And watching people question God? Believers are either adamant that He’s punishing us, others are indignant – and atheists are dumbfounded over how people can believe in God and love using their sarcastic question: “How can you see this in the world and believe your wizard in the sky exists?”
Who are you in the fire?
“In this world, you will have trouble. But take heart, I have overcome the world.” – John 16:33
When He walked this earth, Jesus healed all who came to Him. He raised the dead. He Himself is the Resurrection and the Life, (John 11:15).
A lot of us want to think that because we believe in Him, we’re covered. We shouldn’t be sick. Our loved ones won’t die before their time. We won’t face pain.
This world – it’s still fallen. Until Christ returns, it’s going to be that way.
The truth is, the nations like their idols. We obsess over the economy. We become engrossed with singers, sports and other kinds of entertainment. With this virus – this pestilence – it all came to a screeching halt. The idols of society toppled down. The virus has been tragic for many, because so many have lost their lives – so many others still, have lost jobs. Some are completely alone and that loneliness stings. But for others – parents are spending quality time with their kids. Families are coming together. Singers are stepping up to spread joy and hope by sharing concerts online. The worst kinds of tragedy, while it will reveal the darkest side of humanity – it also reveals the absolute best.
So who are you in the fire?
Wednesday night was so rough for me, because I couldn’t get a breath. The symptoms had been off and on for days, always with the shortness of breath (and lots of little other things this virus likes to throw out), but it was like someone was squeezing my lungs – stabbing me in spots. My doctor told me Monday that the worst was over (my fever was zip and my lungs – thank God – were clear), but that night I begged to differ. I was scared.
The Bible warns us against fear. But that unknown, not knowing if I’d fall asleep, not knowing how the waking up would go? I’m pretty sure the fear gave way to anxiety which didn’t help with the breathing part.
I remember saying, “Jesus help.” And: “Jesus, Jesus, Jesus.” I woke up to daylight and no lung pain (still breathing issues though). Somehow just uttering His Name calmed my storm that night.
Yet during the day I asked Him why He allowed this for me. I understand the ways of this world and illness happens. I’d been self-quarantined already. I’m already a borderline-germaphobe. But I just wondered.
“Who are you in the fire?” The voice was still, small – and as always, I’m always surprised when I hear it.
Who are you in the fire?
Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego were in the world at a broken and scary time. They were punished by King Nebuchadnezzar because they refused to bow down to his gods and gold statue, and thus thrown into the fire.
They chose God, they firmly had their hearts fixed on Him and only worshipped Him, but still the world got to them. Yet even when threatened with the fiery furnace, even when being condemned to it – they didn’t relent in their faith. They went into the fire, dealing with the flames of the world, but there wasn’t just three of them in the fire. God was in there with them. The King of Glory who is on His throne was in the fire with them, still.
They didn’t waver in their faith.
“O Nebuchadnezzar, we do not need to defend ourselves before you. If we are thrown into the blazing furnace, the God whom we serve is able to save us. He will rescue us from your power, Your Majesty. But even if He doesn’t, we want to make it clear to you, Your Majesty, that we will never serve your gods or worship the gold statue you have set up.” – Daniel 3:16-18
Personally I’d love to have that kind of faith, where I could be faced with that situation and be that bold. Yet for those of us in Christ, Jesus already knows are innermost thoughts and desires. He sees us and meets us where we’re at.
Maybe – just maybe – while the singers, sports and economy are idols – maybe fear is as much an idol as they are. I can go into the fire (known as covid-19) letting that idol consume me with the symptoms, or I can finally gasp out the Name of Jesus and find rest.
Hebrews 13:5 says, “For God has said, ‘I will never fail you. I will never abandon you.’”
Symptoms are going to come. If we open our Bible and read what the prophets wrote, we’ll see that this virus is like a birth pain. I’d love to say it will get better, but things in this world will get worse over time until Jesus returns. I believe and won’t give up praying that this virus will go away and stay out of this world (2 Chronicles 7:13-14). And we should never stop praying. God wants to see His children rise up with faith, turn from their wicked ways, seek Him and He will heal our land.
For those who have accepted Him as their Lord, what joy we can look forward to! We have eternal life, free from pain and death.
“No eye has seen, no ear has heard, and no mind has imagined what God has prepared for those who love Him.” – 1 Cor 2:9
Yet while we’re in this world, while we’re dealing with symptoms and the fear of what could happen attacks our minds:
If we are thrown into the blazing furnace, the God whom we serve is able to save us. He will rescue us from this pestilence. But even if He doesn’t – even if the symptoms come and the diagnosis is bad, even when prayers aren’t answered how we’d like them to be. Even if we lose our jobs, even if we lose in stocks – even if loved ones won’t be there in person for our most important days…even if He doesn’t…, let’s still fix our eyes on Him and not bow to the idol of fear.
“But on the judgement day, fire will reveal what kind of work each builder has done. The fire will show if a person’s work has any value. If the work survives, that builder will receive a reward. But if the work is burned up, the builder will suffer great loss.” – 1 Corinthians 3:13-15
>> “O Jacob, how can you say the Lord does not see your troubles? O Israel, how can you say God ignores your rights? Have you never heard? Have you never understood? The Lord is the everlasting God, the Creator of all the earth. He never grows weak or weary. No one can measure the depths of His understanding. He gives power to the weak and strength to the powerless. Even youths will become weak and tried and young men will fall in exhaustion. But those who trust in the Lord will find new strength. They will soar high on wings like eagles. They will run and not grow weary. They will walk and not faint.” – Isaiah 40:27-31
This! A lot in this world are questioning where God is in our troubles. He sees them. He’s right here. And for those of us who are weak, I find it amazing how vs. 31 says, “Those who trust in the Lord will find new strength.” New. New strength.
The fire is rough. It makes us weak. But if we fix our eyes on the One who walks with us in the valley low, He will give us new strength.
So who are you in the fire?
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