Isaiah 43:2

We were having Bible Study when a friend brought something to show me. She carefully removed the towel that it was wrapped in and there was a Bible. It had the smell of smoke, but was in good condition. She explained to me that it was recovered from her brother’s house that had burned. The family was safe, but everything else was a total loss; only the Bible was pulled out of the ashes.

I learned a long time ago that pastors don’t need to have an answer for everything. There was certainly none for this. What was important was the encouragement it gave this dear sister in Christ. She was already a person of great faith; this was simply a little spice added to it for her.

God has a way of giving beauty for ashes. Few people go through this life without passing through some fire and floods. The Lord said, “When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and through the rivers, they shall not overwhelm you; when you walk through fire you shall not be burned, and the flame shall not consume you.” (Isaiah 43:2).

I don’t know what you are going through today; but I am sure that some feel like you are in the fiery furnace. You are not alone; like the three Hebrew children that were cast into the furnace, Christ walks with you. We will ascend from the fires someday and it will also be said of us, “Their robes were not scorched, and there was no smell of fire on them.”

Don’t give up when the way is hard and the heat is on you. Our God is a fireproof God, and deliverance is in His hands.