May 19: Standing in the Fire

 Theme: Your Defender is in Heaven

Carla McGarvey-Blair MPH, NP

Bethany SDA

 Job 16:19-21 Also now, behold, my witness is in heaven, and my record is on high. My friends scorn me: but mine eye poureth out tears unto God. O that one might plead for a man with God, as a man pleadeth for his neighbour!

Think back: have you ever been burned by a fire on the stove, a hot pot, hot water, a curling iron, oil, or even a simple cup of tea?  This can leave you in so much pain and you wonder why is your defender “MOM”, taking so long after you screamed your  “throat out”?

In Job 16, 19 -21, you would assume that at this point, Father Job has 
crossed the line and is now into outright sin.  But no, he still believes
 that he has an advocate on High!  He just wishes that he could talk
 to God as you and I could talk to our neighbors.  “Oh Lord”,
 he screamed desperately, “I wish I could talk to you, out loud, plain
and clear, hearing you with my physical ears.  But I too choose to trust You 
even when I don’t understand”, and I say AMEN to that.

Can you imagine coming from work and your taxi had to pull over because a fire brigade was on its way to extinguish a fire? Imagine that as an adult, but I'm going to share with you through the eyes of a child. After the fire brigade passed, it took me minutes before I realized that this fire brigade was heading into my community, into my lane, into my yard! In 1984, I was burned out, and as a fourth-form student, I realized that I possessed nothing except the Wolmerian uniform on my back. How was I going to make it?  How was I going to survive? As young Seventh-day Adventists, my mom and I found prayer to be our refuge.  Who was my guardian? My protector or my bodyguard?  Who could I run to?  I thought I had no defender, but then my mind flashed back to one of the largest fires that was ever built.  This fire, built seven times hotter for those three Hebrew boys had our Defender, who is ALWAYS ready, ALWAYS there and ALWAYS available with them all the time, because, while they were building a fire seven times hotter for the three Hebrew boys, Defender God was securing the largest AC unit ever, just to cool that fire down. As the greatest HVAC Engineer who walked on this Earth, Jesus came from Heaven and presented himself right in that fire with the three boys. “He is like a refiner’s fire and like launderer’s soap.” Malachi 3:2. 

Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him." 1 Corinthians 2:9 The refining fire of God’s presence in the Christian life burns away the dross of deadly sins and worthless pursuits. However, the launderer’s soap referenced in Malachi 3:2 is a strong alkali used to whiten cloth and serves as another symbol of the inward purifying process God works in His people.

Readers, never forget that God will always be standing in your fire and will ensure that the heat you receive is not the heat intended for you.  With the help of the church and friends, we went back to that same community, in that same lane, in that same yard, and rebuilt a beautiful home. With God, all things are possible.

Prayer: Lord, help us to appreciate and give thanks when we find ourselves in certain situations, even though they may be daunting. As we struggle to avoid personal fires, help us to understand, recognize, and accept that these are phases we must go through. We must never forget that You, our Defender and Doctor God, are right there to ease the pain. So help us, Lord, to hold onto You, our source of strength, and be appreciative of Your words and reminders that You have plans for us, plans we cannot imagine, in Jesus' name we pray, Amen.

Carla McGarvey-Blair, MPH, NP

Editors: Daughters Arise Team