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A
drive through Yellowstone National Park can be both breathtaking and disheartening.
Majestic mountains ring the one time volcano while geysers, boiling mud pots,
thermal vents and impressive rock formations dot the landscape. Buffalo
and elk can be seen daily with elusive bears making almost ghostlike appearances.
The picture is darkened by mile after mile of bare and blackened
trees. In 1988 lightening strikes caused decades of dense undergrowth and
forest debris to catch fire and burn for months. At times the conflagration
was a firestorm that threatened to burn the entire park. When it was over 75%
of the park had been directly effected by the fires.
A
tragedy? Not necessarily. The demise of the underlying rubbish spawned
new growth and increased pastureland for the bison and elk herds. The other
animals that feed on those also prosper.
The "firestorm"
that Job endured at the hand of Satan, and later his friends, is legend. But
through it all Job kept his integrity. In answer to his wife's suggestion
that he just "curse God and die," Job said, Shall we indeed accept good from God
and not accept adversity." (Job 2:10)
Job learned the principle
that preached in James 1:2-4, trials produce endurance and cleansing in
our lives. The trials you face today or tomorrow are used by God's skillful
hand to be a cleansing fire in your life. "Count it all joy!" (James 1:2a)
All Scripture references are from the New American
Standard Version unless otherwise noted.
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Cleansing Fire
