Forged by the flame
"See, it is I who created the blacksmith who fans the coals into flame and forges a weapon fit for its work. And it is I who have created the destroyer to wreak havoc; no weapon forged against you will prevail, and you will refuted every tongue that accuses you. This is the heritage of the servants of the LORD, and this is their vindication from me,' declares the LORD." Isaiah 54:16-17
So, I am writing this for a second time. I tried adding a picture and it deleted my whole post! The fire of having to redo something I have already done. God must have wanted me to say something different. Praying this is a blessing and what He would have for me to write!
This Scripture spoke to me this morning and the image of a blacksmith forging steel into something usable and durable struck a chord with how God has been forging my walk with Him throughout my whole life.
When I look back over everything that has happened in my life I can see God's hands all over it! In the happy and joyous times, in the heartbreak and devastating times, in the quiet and peaceful times, God has been and will continue to be forging my life in the days to come.
Thinking about how a blacksmith makes his many creations I was given a vision of what it might be like to be the piece of metal in the fire being forged by the blacksmiths tools and hands.
Starting out as a stiff, strong piece of steel, the blacksmith places this piece of steel into an extremely hot flame and waits for the steel to become soft and pliable. I believe that is why we go through the fires is our lives is so that we become soft and pliable in the hands of our God.
And then you would think being placed in the fire is enough, but no, the blacksmith then takes a hammer to pound on this piece of steel to begin to form it into the creation he has in mind. Does it take just one time of the hammer hitting the steel? No, it takes many times and turning of the softened metal to form it and make it into the sword, horseshoe, etc. that the blacksmith intends. God does the same with us, although He can be more gentle than a hammer and sometimes not. Being forged in the fire by God is a process. When we finally submit to Him and His will for our lives, then He begins the process of forming us into His image and what He would have for us to be while here on earth.
Finally, when the blacksmith is done with his hammering and forming he places the hot steel into cold, cool water to set and firm up the creation he has made. Thinking of myself as being that piece of steel in the middle of the fire and finding myself in the cool, refreshing water it brings me relief. God does the same for us.
After being in the fire, forged and hammered into where He wants us to be, He places us beside/in cool waters and restores our soul giving us the blessing of His love and strength. Preparing us for the next time we feel the flames of the fire engulfing our lives. God is continually molding us and making us into a masterpiece of His love. Many fires will come and it will be hot, it will be painful, but it will be worth it! Jesus never leaves us alone in the fire but walks with us through it and carries us when necessary!
Have faith and know that whatever fire you are in at the moment you will come out of it stronger and more blessed than you can even begin to imagine.
Forged by the flame of God's strength, love, mercy and grace!
Be blessed my friends!
Love to you all!
Gwen
