Job said. ” Though He slay me YET WILL I TRUST HIM”- {Job 13:15}. That is some statement of faith from Job! He did Not say, “Though He heal me… Restore all to me,” But “Though he slay me, YET WILL I trust Him…” A little like Habakkuk 3 and his statement of faith – “Though the fig tree does not bud and there are no grapes on the vines, though the olive crop fails and the fields Produce no food, though there are no sheep in the pen and no cattle in the stalls, YET I WILL REJOICE IN THE LORD, I WILL BE joyful in God my Savior.”- {Habakkuk 3:17-18}. “These trials WILL show that YOUR FAITH IS GENUINE. It is being tested as FIRE tests and purifies gold–though your faith is far more precious than mere gold. So when your faith remains strong through many trials, it will bring you much praise and glory and honor on the day when Jesus Christ is revealed to the whole world.”-{1 Peter 1:7 NLT}….”Beloved, do not be surprised at the FIERY TRIAL that has come upon you, as though something strange were happening to you.”-{1 Peter 4:12}

FAITH UNDER FIRE– and the Choices Job, Habakkuk and Peter shares is summed up in the words “I WILL…”
* I WILL Choose my response to the LORD.
* I Will Choose my Attitude in my Circumstances
* I WILL Choose my response to my Circumstances- No One else can choose for me!
* I Choose Faith and Joy in the LORD… by God’s Grace!

THE FIRE REVEALS;
* Faith Under Fire reveals – what type of faith I have when under fire!
* Faith Under Fire reveals  – who I am trusting and leaning on when under fire!
* Growth in Faith does nor come without a Test or struggle. -{Read Romans 4:19-21; Hebrews 11}. The first four letters in “Testimony,” are “T-E-S-T.”

Moses never would have known God could open the Red Sea if he had not been there with it on front of him and Pharaoh’s army pursuing behind them. God had told him to go forward. A T-E-S-T of faith for him. He obeyed by faith and saw God do what He said He would do! Out of it came his TESTIMONY, to what God had done!

MOTIVATION IN THE FIRE? Why is there such opposition to us Trusting God? Because…
1. Faith That is Genuine Is Developed And Revealed.- {1 Peter 1:7}
2. Faith is Pleasing to Him- {Hebrews 11;6}
3. Faith Glorifies Him – {Rom 4:20-21}

TROUBLES ARE INEVITABLE;
We falsely believe God is supposed to KEEP us from trials when He has clearly said not “If “ But “WHEN.” “Count it all Joy my brethren WHEN you encounter various trails…”-{James 1:2}… “I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world YOU WILL HAVE TROUBLE. BUT take heart! I have overcome the world.”-{John 16:33}. “Beloved, do not be surprised at the FIERY TRIAL that has come upon you, as though something strange were happening to you.”-{1 Peter 4:12}

Troubles are Inevitable and not optional But my Response is PERSONAL and a CHOICE…

God help us to CHOOSE to Trust and Joy in the LORD in our circumstances and be MOTIVATED by doing so we PLEASE HIM AND GLORIFY HIM.

Faith Under Fire Is An Opportunity For Faith To Be Developed And Displayed. What if you have failed? Let’s be honest, sometimes we put ourselves in trouble, they are our own fault, but even here we find hope as God has promised”ALL THINGS{ including this thing, our failings, sin,}will work out together for good to those who love Him and are the called’ And the “Good?” Is to conform us to the image of Jesus-{Romans 8:28-29}. Take Hope in Him, Trust him. Delight in Him! Begin a fresh by turning to Him, trusting Him and in doing so you are Glorifying Him. God doesn’t leave or abandon us when we fail, ” For God is working IN YOU, giving you the desire and the power to do what pleases Him.”-{Phil 2:13} – Keep trusting and Rejoicing in HIM, who is LORD OF your circumstances, LORD IN your circumstances, LORD OVER your circumstances. –

Whatever about anyone else, Job, Habakkuk said “I WILL…” What “Will” You do in your Circumstances? Who will you FOCUS on? Choose Christ!

God bless and encourage you in your times of difficulties… Know you CAN Please and GLORIFY Him by choosing your response, “I WILL…” And as you Choose Your Response of faith and delight in the Fire YOU ARE PLEASING and GLORIFYING Him! – 🙂