He Makes His Ministers a Flame Of Fire
Luz cintron
lcintron@ameritech.net
28 Apr 2001

"Beloved, do not think it strange concerning
the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing
happened to you;  But rejoice to the extent that you partake of
Christ's sufferings, that when His glory is revealed, you may also
be glad with exceeding joy."   1 Peter 4:12-13

There are  times of trials and there are times of temptations.  The Bible tells us that we are tempted from the things that are in our own hearts, but trials they come to reveal how well the lesson has been learn.

There are times when we know ourselves not strong enough to resist  temptation and look for an escape and that is also wise. But sometimes there is no strength and we can see no escape before us, we feel trapped.

It was for a time like that, when the situation becomes a living fire that promises to devour everything in us and leave nothing standing, I believe for that kind of situation the words in 1st Peter 4:13-14 were spoken from the heart of God. We are encouraged to look through and beyond what is before us and fix our eyes on our hope which is Christ Himself.

For times as  these it is wise to let go of everything and seek shelter in Him. His name is a high tower, where the just runs to and find safety. Run to Him and abandon yourself in His heart. Look to one else for there is no one who can deliver but Him. He will take in His hands the situation and worked it as a skilled surgeon, to carve His image in you for He is giving you to partake of what His love went through for you. In doing like that, a situation meant to destroy us can be turned into a situation that will edify us  by  helping  to ground us more firmly in Him, and bless us with a first hand experience of Who He is and has become for us .

It is then and for those situations that the words on Psalm 104:4 were sung from the heart of God for us.  "Who makes His angels spirits,His ministers a flame of fire"  (Psalm 104:4)


Be not surprised if like the psalmist you too would break forth in praise and worship singing unto Him:

Bless the Lord, O my soul!
O Lord my God, You are very great:
You are clothed with honor and  majesty,
Who cover Yourself with light as  with a garment,
Who stretch out the heavens like  a curtain.
He lays the beams of His upper chambers in the waters,
Who makes the clouds His  chariots,
Who walks in the wings of the  wind.
Who makes His angels spirits,  His ministers a flame of fire.
(Psalm 104: 1-4)

For when you see the fire around you, and all you can feel is the lack of strength within you, there is a place where you can throw yourself in the midst of the furnace. A place where all you are is cast upon the One who cares for you,  as  He is standing beside you. When you open your arms and cast upon Him all there is left of you in you, and it feels like it is nothing, right then and there

He will become fire in you that embraces your weakness and despairs. And in embracing you He will fill you with His manifest presence. You will be one with Him and you will be dressed in His glory  and the fire of the trials and temptations will not harm you. It will go through you as something canceled , overwhelmed   in the fire of His love.

I see His Spirit upon His bride, rejoicing in His love upon her. Weeping has endured through the watches of the night, but the Son rises up to her encounter with healing on His wings. Before the light breaks forth and tears the night apart The song of the  bride has sounded to the last corners of the earth seeking Him whom she loves.

Poor and destitute, in loneliness she had wandered. With eyes open that were not able to see. As one who is buffeted in darkness, not  knowing from where the strike has come, time after time. She has been blamed for the strikes inflicted upon her, shaken, pressed, shoved asideand broken,  despised by many she has endured  in her weakness her desired for her beloved.

Like a child abandoned at birth that longs  for what is unknown so has she wandered seeking for the discipleship sign where her Loved One dwells. Like the one who knows without understanding with outstretched hands that no one held. There was no compassion shown to her. No kisses for her tears, no embrace of consolation for her sorrow and her pain. She was not allowed to speak through darkness and fear, and understanding was broken off from her for a season, as one from whom the face of God  is hidden for a moment.

In her weakness she was weak until the hope of Israel became  in her strong. She cried without words not knowing what to cry  and her sadness was increased and her love was tested through  the wilderness of  despair. It was through pain and hardship that she left  behind her comfort to seek after His voice. He spoke to her heart in many  ways and forms calling upon her in the midst of despair He became her assurance.

Arise and shine oh beautiful one, for His face is shinning on you! And His song for you tells of a love who endured all for you. He who is faithful has called you unto Him, has chosen you from many  nations. His banner over you is love, most lovely one.

The night is over and the song of the dove is about to rest its longings on the nest of companion. Arise  oh shinning one, His face is still upon you and this time He shall not hide it from you ever again. You have make His heart a prisoner of love. His heart has been arrested by your tears and by your longings,  there is no strength left in Him to look aside

Speak and He shall hear you,  call and He shall answer you, stretch your hands up to Him and he will fill them with the kisses of His love. You who were rejected and bear the marks of His rejection, embrace His longing heart From the east and the west, from the north and the south His little ones will be brought to you and  He will fill you with His children, fruit of His love, reward from God unto you.

Stand still and see the deliverance of Love for you, He will uplift your face and show you like a proud king shows off  his queen. Shame and confusion will be no more, for you have been founded upon the  Cornerstone of Perfection.

Your servant in His love;
Luz Cintrón
http://www.thepearlsofwisdom.net
Let us be glad and rejoice, and give honour to Him: for the marriage of the Lamb is come
and His wife hath made herself ready ...Revelation 19:7