After this they saw a couple, hideously black like the colour of a smith’s coal, coming out of the forges, as if they were going to do some work or other. And when they saw God’s people, they turned back into the forges, and brought out two charges of molten iron, red hot, which they held with tongs in their hands, and rushing eagerly to the shore, they cast them at the boat.
– The Life of Brendan of Clonfert
Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.
– Philippians 4.6, 7
A strange fiery trial
Peter warned us there would be fiery trials as we press on in our journey with the Lord: “Beloved, do not think it strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened to you” (1 Pet. 4.12). I gotta say, though, if some guy, covered with black coal dust and hairy as a wild beast, is comin’ at me with red hot rivets, chunkin’ ‘em at my boat, I might be inclined to think that was a little strange.
And probably a whole lot scary.
But it got stranger: “And out of the forges there issued an innumerable, hideous and diabolical band, carrying fiery charges in tongs to cast at them. And where these charges struck the sea it boiled up high above them…” Yeah, that would definitely be strange. And scary.
We may not encounter such a situation in our walk with the Lord, but what we do experience can be strange and unwelcome enough: people who get downright angry about the Gospel, things that just go wrong in our lives or work, illnesses, injuries, hey, getting old (not for sissies, I can tell you). All of these can seem like strange and fiery trials, but they are inevitable; and, since they all come from the hand of God, they are intended for our good.
I’m pretty sure the good people of Iceland today do not welcome visitors to their country with burning rivets.
Not everybody you will meet in your journey with the Lord will be as hospitable, welcoming, and willing to help or encourage as the procurator of Ailbe and Paul the hermit. We need to be ready for all sorts of fiery trials and to receive them not as strange but as strengthening.
Fireproof
“Every joy and trial cometh from above/Traced upon our dial by the Son of love.” Brendan understood this and “bade his company to be of good cheer, and steadfast faith, and to give thanks to God and His angels.” The antidote to fear and all the negative affections trials conjure is thanksgiving. Our trials are clear evidence that God loves us and that He is with us, no matter how fiery the threat (ask Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego). And that means that we are essentially fireproof. No trial, however fiery it might be, can defeat the Lord’s purpose for us, which is to gather us to Himself forever in unending pleasure, joy, and peace. And, as we give thanks to the Lord in the midst of all our trials, we are strengthened and we know His peace, and so, come what may, we are blessed to continue our journey and assured of His promise to be with us always, even to the end of time (Matt. 28.20).
And let’s not fail to note Brendan’s mention of the angels of God. They are our servants, after all, and they’re really good at their job, as Daniel’s friends learned. Angels are real and they are at work on our behalf, to help us along in our journey with the Lord, every day and all day long. Don’t fail to give thanks to God for these heavenly friends.
We’ve no reason to fret, fear, of flee in the face of fiery trials. We’re fire-proof. Stand your ground. Give thanks and praise to God. And press on.
For Reflection
1. Are you facing any “fiery trials” at this time? How should you deal with these as they come?
2. Do you know someone who is facing a trial of some sort (fiery or otherwise)? How will you encourage them today?
Psalm 71.14-16, 3 (Solid Rock: My Hope is Built on Nothing Less)
But as for me my voice I raise
to sing in hope and constant praise!
With saving grace my voice will swell
Your never-ending grace to tell.
Refrain v. 3
A Rock of habitation be; command Your Word to rescue me;
my Rock and Fortress ever be!
T. M. Moore
If you have found this meditation helpful, take a moment and give thanks to God. Then share what you learned with a friend. This is how the grace of God spreads (2 Cor. 4.15).
Other columns of interest this week: Our Read Moore podcast is focusing on realizing more of our great salvation. Our current ReVision series, “The Kingdom Economy”, examines the role of commerce for the glory of God. And new in our bookstore, our workbook, The Ongoing Work of Christ, shows us how the book of Acts provides a template and footprint for all who take up the work of building Jesus’ Church.
Thank you.
Many of you are faithful and generous in praying for and supporting Crosfigell and The Fellowship of Ailbe. Thank you. May I encourage all our readers to seek the Lord about becoming a supporter of The Fellowship of Ailbe? It’s easy to give to The Fellowship of Ailbe, and all gifts are, of course, tax-deductible. You can click here to donate online through credit card or PayPal or Anedot, or send your gift to The Fellowship of Ailbe, P. O. Box 8213, Essex, VT 05451.
All Psalms for singing from The Ailbe Psalter. Scripture taken from the New King James Version. © Copyright 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
