Original Broadcast: August 2008
Monthly Theme: Gospel in Country Music
Country Song: "Standing Outside the Fire" by Garth Brooks
But who can endure the day of His coming,
And who can stand when He appears?
For He is like a refiner’s fire and like fuller’s soap.
(Malachi 3:2)
Garth Brooks sang, “Life is not tried, it is merely survived if you’re standing outside the fire.” The prophet Malachi shows that God’s presence is like a refiner’s fire—refining us until we’ve been purified. As the hymn “How Firm a Foundation” puts God’s words concerning it: “The flames will not hurt you; I only design your dross to consume and your gold to refine.”
The question I have for you today is: “How hot are ya?” Do you feel the heat from the trials of your life? Or are you rather cool because your life has been very easy? If you’re in the first group, I give you the same words Jesus gave to St. Paul, “My grace is sufficient for you, for My power is made perfect in weakness” (2 Corinthians 12:9) and also, “God is faithful, and He will not let you be tempted beyond your ability” (1 Corinthians 10:13).
If you’re in the second group, ask yourself this question: Why don’t I feel the refiner’s fire? Could it be that there’s really nothing to refine? Could it be that Satan doesn’t consider me a threat to his kingdom? Could it be that God sees me as “lukewarm” (Revelation 3:16) and wants to spit me out of His mouth?
Garth was right. Life is “merely survived if you’re standing outside the fire.” It’s time to jump into the fire and really LIVE as a child of God, knowing that His grace is sufficient for you. Amen.
