“The grass withers and flowers fall, but the word of our God stands forever.” Isaiah 40:8
When I write in this space, it’s usually to share glimpses of God that I have witnessed, with fellow Christ followers or those who may be seeking Him. I like to try to share encouragement and hope with those who may desperately need it, hope that God has a plan and that He’s always busy working, even when we can’t see Him.
Sometimes I hear about an account that is simply too powerful not to share. I heard one a few days ago.
Early Sunday morning, March 5th, a small church in rural West Virginia caught on fire. Firefighters from several fire departments worked for hours to battle the blaze. The fire burned so hot at times, that the firefighters had to retreat.
The pastor, Reverend Phil Farrington, who had been notified, sat on the ground and wept as he watched his church burn. The building sustained heavy damage, but when the firemen went in to investigate, they were surprised to find almost two dozen Bibles, unharmed. They were scattered around the sanctuary, mostly in the backs of seats.
The shocked firemen piled them up and took pictures of the miracle.
Reverend Farrington saw it as a sign from God and said, “In the midst of the fire, God’s word will always stand.”
Interestingly enough, there were three crosses that didn’t burn either. Two were made of wood and hanging on the walls.
The Coal City Fire Department put on their Facebook page, “Though odds were against us, God was not. Not a single Bible was burned and not a single cross was harmed! Not a single firefighter was hurt!”
I love this story. It speaks to believers and doubters. Bibles are made of paper. There isn’t a single, logical, physical, reason, why they didn’t burn, not one of them. But, faith isn’t always logical and it’s much more about the spiritual than the physical.
God’s Word has come under a different kind of fire lately. There are those who say it’s outdated, or doesn’t matter, or that God has changed since it was written, yet the Bible itself tells us that God doesn’t change and that His laws, plans, and thanks be to God, mercy, grace and love, are still in play.
As Christians, we can hold tight to that fact along with what the firefighters’ said, “Though odds were against us, God was not.” Deep in our hearts, that’s all we really need to know.
Sometimes I need reminding. Perhaps you do too.
Have an awesome day!
Wendy 🙂