When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and through the rivers, they shall not overwhelm you; when you walk through fire you shall not be burned, and the flame shall not consume you.

(Isaiah 43:2 ESV)

So that the tested genuineness of your faith—more precious than gold that perishes though it is tested by fire—may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ.

(1 Peter 1:7 ESV)

I read a story yesterday written by Erwin Lutzer, entitled, “Failure, The Back Door to Success”, about a father and daughter who were walking through the prairie grass. In the distance, they saw a fire sweeping towards them. The father knew they could not outrun it. So he burnt an area around them. When the fire burned near them they stood in the middle of the burnt grass. When the flames did approach them, the girl was terrified but her father assured her, “The flames can’t get to us. We are standing where the fire has already been.”

That struck me yesterday. I volunteered on our local ambulance for almost 10 years. I went on many fire calls with the fire department. I never knew why they would set a fire to fight a brush fire. Now I do. But it also made me think. How many times have we gone through a fire and come out alright? Maybe a little singed but for the most part alright. It’s because Jesus set a fire around us. He stood in the center of that burnt-out place with us, protecting us.   Jesus is our protector. He will go before us fighting for us. He not only has our back but also our front and sides. 

He will go to battle for us. So the next time you find yourself in the fire, know that Jesus set a backfire and is standing in the center of it with you.

Have a blessed day, everyone. 

Kathy Keller
Writer and Prayer warrior with Answers2Prayer Ministries
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