The First Fire: A Sense of Injustice
The first fire stems from a sense of injustice; we don’t deserve what is happening to us. The “why doesn’t God help me?” question becomes so strong in the midst of our suffering that we raise our fist in rebellion and anger against God.
Though the response may seem legitimate and understandable from a human point of view, it stems from a spirit of unbelief and leads to sin. Instead of falling on the mercy of God and committing ourselves to His hands, we turn to anger and commit ourselves to our own hands.
Pride is at the center of this reaction; we depend upon ourselves and refuse to submit to God when we don’t understand what’s happening. We turn ourselves towards the wall and invite a spirit of death, despair, hopelessness, and even suicide as our own powerlessness dawns upon us in the face of overwhelming opposition.
The Second Fire: A Fire of Revival
The second type of fire is a fire of revival. We humble ourselves before God, accept our limitations, and recognize that there is nothing we can do in and of our own ability to change the outcome of what we are facing.
We put our trust in God’s goodness and the fact that He is able to work all things together for our good. What the enemy has intended for evil, God can work out for our good. We “sacrifice” our pride in submitting to Him in the middle of a trial, even though we don’t understand. Fire always falls on sacrifice.
We initiate a personal revival with God by passionately pursuing Him. This is not shouting or striving; this is simply standing on God’s word even in a whisper and, like David, saying, “though you slay me I will worship at your feet”. It is not abandoning the fight either; it is recognizing our dependence on and need for God in every circumstance.
Conclusion: God’s Faithfulness
God is good all of the time, every day. You might weep through the night but joy comes in the morning. If you sow in sorrow you will reap with joy. The devil is a liar and God loves you no matter what, that’s an absolute. Rebuke the spirit of unbelief, stamp out the fire of rebellion and invite the fire filled glory of the love of God to fill you, and start a revival of love, power, a sound mind, miracles, signs and wonders in your life. God is faithful to accomplish His word! Shalom