Read Psalm 66:6-12. 6He turned the sea into dry land; they passed through the river on foot. There did we rejoice in him, 7who rules by his might forever, whose eyes keep watch on the nations—let not the rebellious exalt themselves. 8Bless our God, O peoples; let the sound of his praise be heard, 9who has kept our soul among the living and has not let our feet slip. 10For you, O God, have tested us; you have tried us as silver is tried. 11You brought us into the net; you laid a crushing burden on our backs; 12you let men ride over our heads; we went through fire and through water; yet you have brought us out to a place of abundance.
From slavery to freedom. From exodus to exaltation. From crushing burden to abundance. From cross to resurrection. This is the pattern of God’s salvation. It always has been and it always will be until we reach the golden shore.
This is why recounting the past is so important for our sanctification. If we do not know this pattern of death into life, and find our hope within it, the test of faith may reveal a rocky soil that refuses to receive the seed of Christ’s life. A life of suffering unto glory.
Our faith must be in the God that lets men ride over our heads, and sends us through fire and water and yet does so in order to bring us out into a place of abundance. How does he accomplish this work? By going through the fire and water with us.
As us.
Isaiah 43:2. When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and through the rivers, they shall not overwhelm you; when you walk through fire you shall not be burned, and the flame shall not consume you.
To live is Christ is to trust the pattern of God’s sanctifying grace. Through flood and through fire, but never alone. Into abundance, but never by our own doing. Christ is always with us. He knows the way through the sea. Fix your eyes on him and simply follow.
You: Where can you see God’s pattern of death to life in your own day to day sanctification?
You in Christ: How does the gospel of Christ, his death to resurrection, allow your heart to trust God’s death to life pattern in your own life?
Christ in you: Is there a place in your life where you need to embrace “death” in order to see life? How can Jesus help you to do this?
Prayer. Jesus, your testing was my triumph, and now my testing is your triumph. Teach me to trust your path through the waters and the fires. Amen.
To Live is Christ 