When you go through deep waters and great trouble, I will be with you. When you go through rivers of difficulty, you will not drown! When you walk through the fire of oppression, you will not be burned up; the flames will not consume you. --Isaiah 43:2
I often cry out to God for protection from the consequences of my sin. Many times He chooses to grant me this protection. When I feel His mercy surrounding me during the times when I know I should feel the fire consuming me, I fall on my knees in gratitude. But I don't always learn my lesson. During those times, I am grateful that God protected me from the suffering I deserve, and I am usually extra-aware of Him for a few days. But soon, I move away from Him again and find myself in the same place I started.
God is not satisfied with the status quo when the status quo in our fallen world is always sin.
Sometimes God displays His grace towards me by protecting me from the fire. Other times, His grace is in the fire. He loves me too much to leave me as I am, and oftentimes change requires suffering. I beg Him to shield me, but in His grace He denies my request because He knows that it is in the fire where I will be refined. Sometimes I must suffer the consequences of my sin in order to draw closer to God. In His grace, He allows my suffering but keeps me from being consumed so that I will emerge changed instead of burned up.
Posted by Kim at September 17, 2006 06:32 PMKim I think you wrote that for me...among other things probably. That really ministered to me and where I've been. I often, too often, find myself right back where i started, repeating the same sin and settling for less than what God wants for me. Thanks for the reminder that in the pain, there is change and refinement. It's encouraging to remember that God has a purpose with me right now!
Posted by: Erin at September 25, 2006 01:57 PM