Refined by Fire

31tenthirtyone
Jan 11
2 min read

It’s Saturday morning and Los Angels and Altadena, California are on fire. Homes, businesses, livelihoods, and lives are gone. Wiped away in a blink of an eye.

I’ve been thinking about the devastation and have been listening to people cast blame on the mayor, the governor, the fire chief, the water pressure. But in reality, this is an act of nature; some may say, an act of God, or divine order.

The human being wants to find order in the life around them and wants to understand why things are occurring. Instead of looking for something or someone to blame, I wonder what we can we learn or take into our life’s journey from this life shifting event?

We think of fire as destructive, but truly, fire can renew. There are seeds in the ground that will not sprout until they have been burned, and of course we cannot shape metals to our command without fire, nor melt sand into glass. The process of using fire to shape and mold is to refine.

How is God refining you right now? How is the Lord perfecting you? When our Lord assays you, what will he find?

Scripture reminds us that, “there is an appointed time for everything. And there is a time for every event under the heaven,”(Ecclesiastes 3:1 NASB 1995). This was the time the Los Angeles would be refined just as Jerusalem was refined. In Jeremiah 9:1-11 (please read this scripture because it is eerily similar to our current times) , we find God’s wrath has fallen upon the Jerusalem. God declares, “Behold, I will refine them and assay them; For what else can I do?” (Jeremiah 9:7).

God is refining us and assaying us. When assayed, what will God find in you? When refined, what will the end result of your refinement be?

Prayer

Father God, we come to you today asking your special blessings upon Los Angeles. There has been devastating losses in our community. Help us to see and acknowledge that the blame for this devastation is non-existence and that all natural events are beyond the control of men. And Father, help us to look inward to understand that fire can both renew and refine us. Allow us to come through this harrowing time better individuals who move in accordance to your word with gentle hearts and kind spirits. When our spirits are assayed, let the light and love of Jesus be present. May we all grow closer to you, understanding that in this life, it is your will that will be done. Father, forgive us of our wrong doings and allow us to find peace in you. Refine us and make us new. Get rid of the impurities within us and allow us to shine for your glory! In Jesus’ holy name, I pray.

Amen