10.29.2012

Monday's Musing: Trial By Fire

For all flesh is as grass, and all the glory of man as the flower of grass. The grass withereth, and the flower thereof falleth away: But the word of the Lord endureth for ever. And this is the word which by the gospel is preached unto you.   - 1 Peter 1:24-25 (KJV)

On Wednesday, this was the view from my front porch. As my son and I were about to sit down to dinner we noticed a commotion outside. I opened the front door, and with a short look to the right saw that my neighbor's house was on fire. The only person home was one of their teenage sons, and he escaped safely along with their dog. The fire is still being investigated but it seems that something in the garage somehow ignited. Sadly, the son discovered the fire only because it was already so large that he heard the crackling sounds from inside the home. They pretty much lost everything. 

 The family is well known in our town for their faith and their generosity to the community. And they've had a lot of rough times lately. With this latest tragedy in their lives, I couldn't help but think of Job. 

 Job was well known for being a great follower of God. Then, in a test of his faith Job lost everything - his cattle and animals, his family, his health. He went from literally "having it all" with wealth, health and a large family to nothing, and he was covered in painful boils on top of the mental anguish he had already suffered. Do you know what Job did? He said "Lord has given, and Lord has taken away; blessed be the name of Lord." Job 1:22 also states "In all this Job sinned not, nor charged God foolishly." 

 It's not easy when life keeps hitting you with tragedy after tragedy, but like my neighbor's and Job's examples we must always remember that God is the same yesterday, today, and forever. Our circumstances may change, but He is always the same - our rock and strong fortress in times of need. It won't be fun or easy, but if we only put our trust in God we can make it through anything.
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8 comments:

  1. As I think about Job, I think of the end of his faith -- "My ears had heard about you, but now my eyes have seen you!" Oh, to have the faith to see God in the midst of our trials!

    Visiting from Be Not Weary today :)

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  2. Prayers for the family that lost their home, and for you too and the community as you attend to their needs throughout the next days/weeks.

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  3. Praying for that family, and for you.

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  4. My prayers go out to your neighbors. May you have insight and wisdom on how to minister to them!

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  5. I family in our church recently lost their home from a fire as well. God thankful for the provision of God and a Church family that is taking care of them!

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  6. Thank you for this post. We have friends that have been experiencing bad news after bad news and sometimes you just have to ask why? But the important thing to remember is God is sovereign and desires our praise even during the storm.

    Visiting via New Life Steward

    I am hosing Thankful Thursdays, a link up series every Thursday in November. I would love it if you linked up this post.
    http://www.colortransformedfamily.com/2012/11/01/thankful-thursdays-amazingly-blessed/

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  7. How sad! Prayers for your neighbors. May they be strengthened by their faith ... and their faith community.

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  8. Prayers...
    I've been reading The Wisdom of God by Nancy Guthrie. Her chapter on Job was so insightful and deeply encouraging. Thanks for this post, and linking up with GraceLaced.

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