From the desk of Steve Shultz:
This is an assuring word of the Lord from Kathi Pelton. He IS delivering His people out of the furnace of affliction, and we won't come out smelling like fire, just as Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego in Daniel 3.
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Kathi Pelton:
"Servants of the Most High God, Come Out!"
Nebuchadnezzar then approached the opening of the blazing furnace and shouted, "Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego, servants of the Most High God, come out! Come here!"
So Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego came out of the fire, and the satraps, prefects, governors and royal advisers crowded around them. They saw that the fire had not harmed their bodies, nor was a hair of their heads singed; their robes were not scorched, and there was no smell of fire on them. Daniel 3:26-27
Do you feel as though you have been in a fiery furnace? Does it feel as though you, your family, your career, your ministry and even your relationships have gone through "trials by fire"? Many of us have, but I am hearing the Spirit of the Lord say: "Servants of the Most High God, come out! Come here!"
Many of you will have heard the Spirit of the Lord speaking these words to you (in one form or another) prior to reading this. If so, I want to confirm to you: Yes, you have heard correctly! Some were in this furnace time for a short time; others of you have been in it much longer. Either way, I believe that from the view of Heaven you are counted as one of the "Faithful Ones" such as Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego.
The Sacred
Over the past few years I have watched faithful men and women go through circumstances and trials that I never imagined they could survive, yet still come out without being scorched, not smelling of the fire they had endured.
You may remember me sharing about dear friends who lost three out of their four children. I wrote that all we could do was to hold them and be available to love them and pray. I remember keenly standing with them right after their youngest son was taken. His mom stroked his hair while weeping and yet at the very same time she repeated again and again, "God, You are faithful, true and good in all Your ways... no matter what!" It was the most sacred moment I have ever experienced in the midst of such great loss. Jesus was there in the furnace of that hospital room, and though agonizing pain was present, He was all the more present. Yet, today neither this mom nor this dad smell of the fire of loss or bitterness; they radiate the beauty of the Lord.
Many of us have experienced having the most sacred things touched – and even taken – over this past season. These were things that we were confident would not be lost, but our confidence needed to be in His faithfulness, not in what He would or would not allow. Many who faced such things have come out of these times without the smell of the furnace upon them, but rather with His fragrance upon them, still declaring, "You are faithful, God!" Please know that if this is you, then you have entered into some of the highest praise that can be offered. This time – and your trial – have given you new authority and deeper intimacy with Him.
Transition into the New
Hope deferred makes the heart sick, but a longing fulfilled is a tree of life. Proverbs 13:12
As 2012 approached, I kept sensing the Spirit of the Lord saying, "This is a year of desires (longings) fulfilled." I believe that during this time of so many being in the furnace, what has been produced is that our desires have shifted to be aligned with His desires. This needed to happen so that we were properly aligned with His heart and His will in the days to come.
God will heal all those who have experienced having their hearts sick with the burden of hope deferred! Your fulfilled longing will have the fruit of life upon it. Allowing yourself to be continually realigned with the truth of His faithfulness, even in the midst of loss and pain, has made you into a fruitful tree of life and hope that will be enjoyed by many in the years to come.
It is now time to transition from the furnace into this new position of authority and freedom that He is calling you to. You will never be the same, and the authority "earned" during this past season will cause you to walk in new arenas that you could not have prior to this experience.
He is Faithful
The LORD is trustworthy in all He promises and faithful in all He does. The LORD upholds all who fall and lifts up all who are bowed down. The eyes of all look to You, and You give them their food at the proper time. You open your hand and satisfy the desires of every living thing.
The LORD is righteous in all His ways and faithful in all He does. The LORD is near to all who call on Him, to all who call on Him in truth. He fulfills the desires of those who fear Him; He hears their cry and saves them. The LORD watches over all who love Him, but all the wicked He will destroy.
My mouth will speak in praise of the LORD. Let every creature praise His holy name forever and ever. Psalm 145:13-21
As I transition into the new year of 2012, I will continually declare His faithfulness. Commit with me to wake up each day and say the words, "You are faithful, God!" May our mouths speak praise to Him throughout each day. This is truth and it needs to permeate the atmosphere in our homes, our churches, our places of business, and in our cities and nations. OUR GOD IS FAITHFUL FROM GENERATION TO GENERATION.
Come Out!
Kathi Pelton
Compassion Arise
Email: jkpelton@sbcglobal.net
Kathi Pelton has a passion to encourage, uplift and serve. As well as being a published writer she has traveled extensively with Watchmen for the Nations, spoken at conferences, been a member of a national prophetic round-table and co-directed a house of prayer. Her favorite pastime is to spend time with her husband and children.
