Tested By Fire And Flood

Tested by Fire and Flood

We went through fire and flood, but you brought us to a place of great abundance. Psalm 66:12

FOR CENTURIES, PSALMISTS AND PROPHETS celebrated Israel’s deliverance from Egypt through the powerful intervention of God. They spoke and wrote of his great miracles, his victory over enemies, his provision and guidance in the wilderness, and his eventual gift of the Promised Land. But they never lost sight of the journey—the traumatic plagues that led to their deliverance; their times of testing in the wilderness; the turmoil within the camp and the enemies beyond it; and the knee-buckling, hair-raising crisis of passing between walls of water to get to the safe side of the sea. They understood that dramatic victories rarely ride in on easy roads; far more often they come to us through critical, faith-stretching experiences.

The good news is that when God takes us on a journey through fire and flood, abundance is on the other side. The idea that the Christian life is all pain and no glory as long as we are on earth is far too common. Yes, we experience ultimate victory on the other side of the grave, but we can also experience plenty of victories along the way. Though Old Testament heroes of faith “did not receive what was promised” and “saw it all from a distance” (Hebrews 11:13), they also experienced fulfillments in their time. Abraham’s son really did come; Joseph really did become a ruler in Egypt; Joshua did enter the land of promise; faithful Caleb claimed his part of it; David ascended to the throne; Daniel was spared from the mouths of lions; Judah’s captives really did return to their own land. These are not empty examples. They are given for our encouragement. God promises fulfillment, abundant joy, and rivers of living water now and in the age to come.

Refuse to defer all the good things to a later age. But do understand that God often leads you along a path of fire and flood on the way to them. We face afflictions and tribulations, but we are also rescued from them and overcome them (Psalm 34:19; John 16:33). Our faith carries us through into seasons and places of great abundance—now and forever.

If we are intended for great ends, we are called to great hazards.