After Fire and Water: The Hope of Abundance

“For you, O God, tested us; you refined us like silver . . . we went through fire and water, but you brought us to a place of abundance.” Psalm 66:10; 12b

I imagine that some of you reading these words today are going through fire and water. God is testing and refining you. And it hurts.

Maybe I don’t hang out with the right people, but I don’t know anyone who enjoys taking tests. Nor do I know anyone who lines up early to be first in line for the refining process.

And going through fire? Well that’s downright scary and packed with potential for pain.

As for water, at first we might think oh yes, I’ll take that one, but consider the resistance we face when we have to walk through knee-high, waist-high, or—heaven forbid—neck-high water even when it’s calm. Add huge waves or dangerous current, and going through water imparts its own brand of scary.

The experiences that refine us—the fire and water—many times are marathon trials. Endurance tests. When caring for Don’s mother during the last several years of her life, at times the demands of hospital duty threatened to engulf me. I’ve also shared in the ongoing pain of our daughter and son-in-law as they’ve waited for years to have a child. No, refining isn’t easy.

Thank goodness the word “but” comes after the mention of tests and refining and fire and water in the scripture above. Thank goodness God doesn’t leave us struggling through endurance tests forever. Instead, he brings us to “a place of abundance.” A place of great blessing.

So take heart, my friends. If you’re going through the refiner’s fire right now, your place of abundance may be just around the bend. Great blessing is surely on the way.

“I am the LORD your God . . . Open wide your mouth and I will fill it.” Psalm 81:10

*How has God blessed you with abundance after a time of trial?

*Flickr photo by Eddie van W.

Comments

  1. This is exactly where I feel I am at this very moment. Fire and water. Testing and refining. Hurts and disappointments.

    I’m anxiously awaiting the “But…”

  2. Vonda, my heart goes out to you as you are in the midst of fire and water. I pray your “But” comes soon!

  3. Laura Drumb says

    Oh my goodness, that was just what I needed to read today! You always seem to anticipate where my need is & write about it, what a friend! I’ve read this Scripture many times before but somehow never got the “place of abundance part”. Thanks for pointing it out. God’s Word is always on the job & always just what we need, isn’t it?

  4. Laura, so happy to hear that the scripture and post really hit your need today. You are so right about God’s Word being just what we need. I’d be lost without it!

  5. May the fire of God burn off the chaff in my life and may water of His word purge me of all He deems necessary today.

  6. I know that God’s timing is perfect, but it sure feels like I’m ready for the abundance part now.

  7. Ron, thanks for visiting! And thanks for offering an important perspective. Refining sure isn’t easy, but it’s certainly important.

    Jeneal, you’ve been waiting a long time for that place of abundance. Hang on — it’s on the way!

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