When Heat Comes

So Moses returned to the LORD and said, "Lord, why have You brought trouble on this people? Why is it You have sent me? For since I came to Pharaoh to speak in Your name, he has done evil to this people; neither have You delivered Your people at all." (Exodus 5:22-23 NKJV)

And the Lord said, "Simon, Simon! Indeed, Satan has asked for you, that he may sift you as wheat. But I have prayed for you, that your faith should not fail; and when you have returned to Me, strengthen your brethren." (Luke 22:31-32 NKJV)

Thus says the LORD:
"Cursed is the man who trusts in man
And makes flesh his strength,
Whose heart departs from the LORD. ...
Blessed is the man who trusts in the LORD,
And whose hope is the LORD.
For he shall be like a tree planted by the waters,
Which spreads out its roots by the river,
And will not fear when heat comes."
(Jeremiah 17:5,7-8 NKJV)

The Israelites believed Moses' word that the Lord would deliver and they worshiped—until Pharaoh applied heat. Peter followed Jesus into the enemy's lair but lacked in his flesh the strength to face persecution. Even the believer in whom the Spirit dwells remains vulnerable to fires of temptation.

Seductresses named Self, World, and Satan should never be underestimated. We are compelled to live amid three powerful enemies who lie in wait to woo the heart. At the very moment we realize an enemy has gained our attention, the heart's eyes must be fully returned to the Lord.

When heat comes, our response determines if it will prove to be the Refiner's fire, or the flames of Hell licking at our heels.

Father in Heaven, holy is Your name. Refiner, make us pure like You. Draw us to walk with You so closely to You that when we walk through the fire, we shall not be burned, nor shall the flame scorch.

Copyright 2008, Anne Lang Bundy