THE SMELL OF SMOKE
While seeking the Lord in prayer this morning, I was praying particularly for some friends and family who’ve gone through struggles and trials recently. As I prayed for these individuals, a phrase from the scripture rose up in my spirit: “May the smell of smoke not even be upon them.” This phrase comes from Daniel 3:27, where it was reported that not even the smell of fire and smoke was upon Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego when they came out of the fiery furnace. What a powerful testimony the three Hebrew boys had. The fire didn’t burn them … and the smell of smoke couldn’t even be detected on them after their ordeal was over. Oh, that we might have such a testimony after we’ve gone through trials and tribulations.
As I meditated upon that phrase, I thought about how we all go through difficulties and times of testing in our lives. No one is exempt from this fact. Sometimes, those trials and struggles have a lingering effect. “The smell of smoke” is still upon us, even though we’re no longer in the fiery furnace of affliction.
I’ve seen believers who’ve gone through a trial with their finances. They made it through the trial okay, but they stopped being cheerful givers. They began to be stingier with their finances. “The smell of smoke” was upon them.
I’ve seen brothers and sisters in the Lord go through a medical crisis … a trial that gave them a “health scare.” They made it past the trial, but they started living in fear as a result. They began to put more faith in doctors and medicine than in their covenant-keeping God. “The smell of smoke” was upon them.
I’ve talked to people who’ve been delivered from relationship trials, where they felt betrayed or abandoned by someone they once loved and trusted. They claimed that they released the guilty party and forgave them, but a note of bitterness can still be detected in their voice as they talk about the person. “The smell of smoke” was still upon them.
MY PRAYER FOR TODAY:
“Oh, Lord, please keep us from harm when we’re in the furnace of affliction. Keep us safe and protected, I pray in Jesus’ name. But, when the trial is over, may we be free from the lingering effects. Deliver us from memories of the trial that steal away our faith in You. Remove even the smell of smoke from our garments, so our deliverance can be complete … so our testimony of Your goodness remains intact. In Jesus’ Name I pray. Amen.”
Isaiah 48:10
Behold, I have refined you, but not as silver; I have tested you in the furnace of affliction.
