By Martha Bush

Join me today at my firepit on my patio where I have been sitting all week that has warmed me both physically and spiritually.

Yes, I had a roaring blaze of fire every morning this week for the first time this winter. You see, I live in Texas, and as the saying goes, “If you don’t like the weather, wait a minute, it will change.”

And so, the weather changed this week from temperatures in the high 70’s to cold weather at last. I had my husband build a fire in the pit for me at the crack of dawn every morning, and there I sat for hours with a cup of coffee, my Bible, and Jesus. Can’t get any better than that!

Besides the enjoyment I felt physically with the blaze of the fire and its serene crackling, I knew that I had read so much about fire in the Bible, so I looked in the index for references. I want to share a few of those references with you today of how fire is used figuratively to equate it with the message God is trying to get across to us.

Figuratively of:

1. God’s protection: (Zechariah 2:5 NLT)

Then I, myself, will be a protective wall of fire around Jerusalem, says the Lord. And I be the glory inside the city.

2. Persecution and Division: (Luke 12:49-53 NKJV)

“I came to send fire on the earth, and how I wish it were already kindled! But, I have a baptism to be baptized with, and how distressed I am til it is accomplished! Do you suppose that I came to give peace on earth? I tell you, not at all, but rather division. For from now on five in one house will be divided; three against two, and two against three. Father will be divided against son and son against father, mother against daughter and daughter against mother, mother-in-law against her daughter-in-law and daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law.”   

3. Affliction: (Isaiah 43:2 NKJV)

When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and through the rivers, they shall not overflow you. When you walk through the fire, you shall not be burned, nor shall the flame scorch you. 

4. Love: (Song of Solomon 8:6 NIV)

Place me like a seal over your heart, like a seal on your arm; for love is as strong as death, its jealousy unyielding as the grave. It burns like blazing fire, like a mighty flame.

5. Tongue: (James 3:6 NLT)

And among all the parts of the body, the tongue is a flame of fire. It is a whole world of wickedness, corrupting your entire body. It can set your whole life on fire, for it is set on fire by hell itself.

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My friends, space doesn’t permit to list all the references listed in the Bible of how fire is used figuratively for a special message God has for us. Briefly, I would like to share a couple of stories from the ones listed I have personally experienced.

God's protection: I have sitting on my desk a toy eighteen-wheeler truck to remind me of a long trip I was taking alone. I was  driving down the interstate, and all of a sudden wham! The driver of an eighteen-wheeler went to sleep and rear-ended me, totaled my car, but leaving me without a scratch. Yes, to God be the Glory for His ring of fire around me, as I lay down in the broken seat while motorists were whizzing by me.  Persecution and Division: Journals are filled with stories of a long season of persecution that brought division. But----God guided me through the fiery furnace without even getting scorched.  

How about you? Perhaps you know of other scriptures you would like to share as it relates to fire and the message God had for you within the scripture.

See you at the firepit, aka, comments.