Jeremiah 23:29 “Is not my word like fire, and like a hammer that breaks a rock in pieces?”.
Heating before hammering a metal is called “Hot Working” or “Forging”. Forging softens the metal and increases malleability. Metal that is subject to the heat of the fire can be molded into a new shape without much force.
The metaphor that God’s Word is like fire is the perfect epitome for the power of God’s Word to transform our character and reform our conduct into the likeness of Christ. All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work (2 Timothy 3:16-17). It is the scriptures that teach us right from wrong. God’s Word forges our inner man through conviction and correction. His Word trains us to live righteously and blamelessly and most importantly it fully equips us to fulfill our purpose and God’s plan for our lives.
David said, “It is good for me that I was afflicted, that I might learn your statutes” [Psalm 119:71]. David found himself in the furnace of rejection, hatred and fear but God’s Word comforted, corrected and convicted him. He goes on to say, If I had not loved your teachings, I would have died from my sufferings [Psalm 119:72]. Through the furnace God shaped David’s character that made him a compassionate king. God reshaped his conduct before He gave him the kingdom. The fiery furnace forged his character.
When we find ourselves in a furnace and when the fire is excruciatingly awful, allow the Word of God to comfort, correct and convict you. God’s Words are the fire that forges our character.
The Forging Fire:
- Forge: The forging fire gives us a new look. We come out of the furnace reflecting the character of Jesus if we allow God’s Word to redesign us.
- Force: The forging fire softens our ego, pride and stubbornness.
- Finish: When we seek the Lord to teach, rebuke, correct and train us through His Word, He uses even our suffering to reshape and remold us into His finished work—a new person in Christ Jesus.
The forging fire of God’s Word refines, reshapes and remolds us.
Prayer: Father God, I submit to your word to teach, rebuke, correct and train me to do your good work. Amen.
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