Today, I have no fight left in my limbs. My energy is spent from fighting these daily battles. I just want to give up and raise my white flag. Continuing to ponder that idea, sitting in my frustration, I wondered what a day with no problems would actually look like.
Riding the waves of that thought, a voice entered my mind saying, “You do not deserve this trouble. Why not just escape from all this misery?”
The voice was familiar, but it was not my own thought.
The tongue of the Tempter continued, “Let me ease your pain. I can keep you out of this blazing furnace, just bow to my god of easy.”
Shaking my head and snapping-to-attention, I protested out loud, “No. I will not take what you are offering. My Lord has told me that I will have trouble in this world, but He will give me strength to push through, delivering me from all my distresses. Jesus will hold me strong and that is what I will stand on.”
The spiritual tension in the room was wrapped with a heavy blanket of silence when I suddenly felt the Lord’s presence behind me. His authoritative voice split the air commanding attention. “This woman belongs to Me and she has claimed My Name. Now leave.” The Deceiver vanished upon the Lord’s charge, the oppression leaving with him.
Turning to face my Savior, I threw myself into His arms, leaning on His love and faithfulness. Gently resting His hand on the back of my neck, Jesus softly whispered in my ear, “You are valiant, My darling: worth far more than rubies.”
“I do not feel valiant, Lord. My weakness began to overtake my true desire.” I confessed.
“Your adversary the devil will always be tempting you to worship his golden images, that take on many different forms, trying to lure you away from Me. But when your flesh and heart fail, My strength prevails. I am forever your portion of strength.” said the Lord.
Pulling me away from our embrace to look into my eyes, Jesus continued, “Do not try to escape the troubles that come your way, because I am using them to strengthen your foundation. You are being groomed to abide in Me and remain faithful to your calling. Avoiding the blazing furnace, means you by-pass the trying of your faith, which is more precious than gold. Each trial builds your spiritual muscle and if you avoid what is in front of you, the next difficulty will be harder to endure. I am training your hands for war and your fingers for battle. The devil will flee when you resist him and surrender to Me.”
“You are Good, Lord, and I will sing aloud of Your Mercy and Power. You have been my defense and refuge in the days of my troubles, and I delight in Your commandments. Give me strength to endure the blazing furnace so those watching will see the Angel of the Lord standing in the midst of the flames, ensuring no harm is brought to me.”
Comforted by 2 Corinthians 11:3; Matthew 4:3; Psalm 119:143; Psalm 37:39; Psalm 107:13,19; Daniel 3:13-30; Psalm 73:26; Proverbs 31:10; Psalm 144:1; 1 Corinthians 3:10-15; 1 Peter 1:6-7; Revelation 20:10; 1 Peter 5:8; John 16:33; James 4:7
