The Fire and The Shadow.

The Fire and The Shadow.


Many people are walking threw this life not finding pleasure nor an open door of compassion. Many are looking for something that will take away the pain of living. We all, at one time or another have been in this state, but we have found a release from this life of misery and pain, we have found a direction and an open door.



The Fire;

Trouble; affliction.

To set on fire, to kindle; to inflame; to excite violent action.


“I indeed baptize you with water unto repentance: but he that cometh after me is mightier than I, whose shoes I am not worthy to bear: he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost, and with fire:”


This baptism spoken of in Matthew 3;11, is denoting a baptism of the spirit that is able to endure hardships and tribulation. Jesus warned us that we would be hated and tried, that being a follower would not be an easy task but that His yoke is easy and His burdens light.


The burdens of mankind, without Christ are heavy, this is where we see many people walking threw this life not finding pleasure, nor an open door of compassion. This is a miserable way to live.

We all, at one time or another have been in this state, but we have found a release from this life of misery and pain, we have found a direction and an open door.


The burdens that Christ spoke of was the burdens of carrying the Gospel, living what we testify to and walk as we ask others to walk.


Barnes states of these verses; The Rivers;(High Waters.) This is a general promise, and means that whenever and wherever they should pass through water or fire, he would protect them.

“When thou walkest through the fire, thou shalt not be burnt.”

“When thou passest through the waters, I will be with thee; and through the rivers, they shall not overflow thee: when thou walkest through the fire, thou shalt not be burned; neither shall the flame kindle upon thee.”

The Fire; This is expressive of calamity and danger in general like passing through fire.


Gods protection falls upon those that believe in Him and believe upon His Son Jesus. Without protection from the fires and floods, men have no recourse but to endure the best that they can. This is where many will enter into depression and even co-mitt suicide. This world brings many burdens upon mankind, job loss, family disputes, debt, even pressure from government, bosses and every wind and doctrine that others place on them.


“As the Lord states of the unbeliever; Therefore hath he mercy on whom he will have mercy, and whom he will he hardeneth.

For he saith to Moses, I will have mercy on whom I will have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I will have compassion.”


The Shadow.


Shadow; To overspread with obscurity. terrible darkness, trouble or death. (Speaking of Sin.)

Sin is an Inseparable companion to all men at one time or another. Even those who are rich are still a companion and slave to sin ans Satan. Without the Lord, all men live in a shadow, and all men live in the shadow of death, for it will come to all mankind.


Those of us who have accepted Christ as our savior, have learned, threw Him and the words of the Lord, to walk threw these shadows and even the fires of life. They are nothing but shadows, lies and ghosts of deception.


The Lord states of these shadows;

“For it is a day of trouble, and of treading down, and of perplexity by the Lord God of hosts in the valley of vision, breaking down the walls, and of crying to the mountains.”


“There is no darkness, nor shadow of death, where the workers of iniquity may hide themselves.”

“Have the gates of death been opened unto thee? or hast thou seen the doors of the shadow of death?”



“Oh that men would praise the LORD for his goodness, and for his wonderful works to the children of men!

For he satisfieth the longing soul, and filleth the hungry soul with goodness.

Such as sit in darkness and in the shadow of death, being bound in affliction and iron;

Because they rebelled against the words of God, and contemned(To despise; to consider and treat as mean and despicable; to scorn.)

the counsel of the most High:

Therefore he brought down their heart with labour; they fell down, and there was none to help.”


Mankind, even with all his troubles, still rebel against the Lord and His truth. They are prying the gates of Hell open for themselves, so they may enter. They have blinded themselves so they cannot see, and hardened their hearts so they cannot be saved. Their labour is heavy and their pleasures are an abomination. They kill each other with words and guns, not regarding life.

They despise the righteous and hate the believers.


Ars

Webster,TSK