Extreme Heat
So far this quarter, we have considered many examples of the cru-
cibles that God uses to bring purity and Christlikeness to our lives.
However, some people may view these examples and conclude that
God is a severe and demanding taskmaster. Sure, some may say, “We
know that God wants something good for us, but these examples don’t
reveal much care and love. Instead, God looks more like a bully. He sets
out with a purpose that causes us considerable hard times, and there’s
nothing we can do about it.”
It’s true that while living on this sin-filled earth, we will understand
only a little of why things happen. In heaven we’ll understand so much
more (1 Cor. 4:5, 1 Cor. 13:12), but for now, we will have to live with
the tension of believing that God is present and cares for us, even
though things don’t always feel too good. Isaiah describes this tension
very well.
Read Isaiah 43:1–7. In verse 2, God says that His people will pass
through waters and through fire. These are figurative of extreme
dangers, but perhaps they hint at the crossing of the Red Sea and the
Jordan, both fearful times—but times that paved the way to a new life.
You may expect that God might say that He would protect His people
from these dangers, that He would guide them along an easier route.
But like the Shepherd in Psalm 23, He says, rather, that when the dif-
ficult times come, God’s people need not be overwhelmed, for He is
with them.
Look back at Isaiah 43:1–7. Write down the different ways in which
God assures His people of comfort during the times of water and
fire. What picture of God does this paint in your mind? Which
promises can you claim for yourself?
We can summarize what we have learned about God’s crucibles in
three ways. First, God’s extreme heat is to destroy not us but our sin.
Second, God’s extreme heat is not to make us miserable but to make
us pure, as we were created to be. Third, God’s care for us through all
things is constant and tender—He will never leave us alone, no matter
what happens to us.
What do these texts teach you about the actions and character of
God? Ps. 103:13, 14; Matt. 28:20; 1 Cor. 10:13; and 1 Pet. 1:7. How
have you experienced the reality of these verses in your own life?
