In the Fire

Bible Reading: Genesis 41:50-52, 50:15-21; Isaiah 48:10-11

Dad swallowed a big bite of hamburger and looked around the dinner table. “I learned something new in that book about Yellowstone I’m reading,” he said.

“I can’t wait to go to Yellowstone!” Mom’s eyes glistened with excitement.

“What did you learn, Dad?” Joy asked.

“Well, remember what happens after a forest fire?”

“Yeah, new growth! Wildfires can actually be a good thing for a forest,” James said as he popped a French fry into his mouth.

Dad nodded. “At Yellowstone, trees called lodgepole pines are some of the first trees to start growing after a fire sweeps through a forest. In fact, the cones on this tree are sealed with a kind of tar that protects the seeds inside it. The seeds cannot be released from the cone until it’s exposed to a certain level of heat. Once the cones get hot enough, the seeds come out and a new process of growth begins.”

“I never knew that!” Mom exclaimed. “The lodgepole pine reminds me of our lives as Christians. God allows us to go through trials and difficulties, but they are never without purpose. From the ashes of our pain and sorrow, He can create something new and beautiful.”

“Hey! That’s like the story of Joseph! He was thrown into a pit, sold into slavery, and put in jail when he was falsely accused.” James shook his head. “Talk about going through the fire!”

“Right!” Joy chimed in. “But Joseph still trusted God. In Sunday school we learned he named one of his sons Ephraim, which means ‘God made me fruitful in the land of my suffering.’”

“I’m sure glad God has a purpose for the pain we go through,” Dad said. “Just like Joseph realized, we may not understand God’s ways, but we can trust that He is good and can bring new growth from the fires we go through. After all, Jesus went through suffering and death Himself so we could be saved and have eternal life.”

“Dad, I have a great idea!” James interjected. “When we see these trees at Yellowstone, let’s get a family picture next to one as a reminder that we can always trust Jesus…even in the fire!” Savannah Coleman

How About You?

Are you or someone you know going through a trial right now? Everyone in the world goes through hard and painful times. If you know Jesus, you can be sure that He will help you through the fires you endure. Remember what He went through to save you, and trust Him to be with you and to use the trials in your life for His good purposes.

Today’s Key Verse:
Psalm 66:12 We went through fire and water, but you brought us to a place of abundance.

Today’s Key Thought:

Trust Jesus through trials