Fire From the Sky

The Crucible of the Promise 

I wrote this before Sunday’s message on Faith. God is speaking to His children about what He wants from us in this next season, and I believe it is to fully trust and have faith in Him and His Word.

Genesis 18:1-15 Then the Lord appeared to him by [a]the terebinth trees of Mamre, as he was sitting in the tent door in the heat of the day. 2 So he lifted his eyes and looked, and behold, three men were standing by him; and when he saw them, he ran from the tent door to meet them, and bowed himself to the ground, 3 and said, “My Lord, if I have now found favor in Your sight, do not pass on by Your servant. 4 Please let a little water be brought, and wash your feet, and rest yourselves under the tree. 5 And I will bring a morsel of bread, that you may refresh your hearts. After that you may pass by, inasmuch as you have come to your servant.” They said, “Do as you have said.”

6 So Abraham hurried into the tent to Sarah and said, “Quickly, make ready three measures of fine meal; knead it and make cakes.” 7 And Abraham ran to the herd, took a tender and good calf, gave it to a young man, and he hastened to prepare it. 8 So he took butter and milk and the calf which he had prepared, and set it before them; and he stood by them under the tree as they ate. 9 Then they said to him, “Where is Sarah your wife?” So he said, “Here, in the tent.” 0 And He said, “I will certainly return to you according to the time of life, and behold, Sarah your wife shall have a son.” (Sarah was listening in the tent door which was behind him.) 11 Now Abraham and Sarah were old, well advanced in age; and [b]Sarah had passed the age of childbearing. 12 Therefore Sarah laughed within herself, saying, “After I have grown old, shall I have pleasure, my lord being old also?”

13 And the Lord said to Abraham, “Why did Sarah laugh, saying, ‘Shall I surely bear a child, since I am old?’ 14 Is anything too hard for the Lord? At the appointed time I will return to you, according to the time of life, and Sarah shall have a son.” 15 But Sarah denied it, saying, “I did not laugh,” for she was afraid. And He said, “No, but you did laugh!”

What is going on?

Abraham is sitting under his usual spot- the terebinth tree. 

Three men appear- and Abraham bows himself before them. One must be the Lord, the pre-incarnate Jesus because Abraham bows and this man allows it. Abraham recognizes he is in the presence of the supernatural. We do not bow before angels. The other two are angels, who we will see next week are the two angels sent to destroy Sodom.

Abraham has Sarah make a meal for them, they eat and while they are eating the Lord once again confirms the promise to Abraham, but this time in the ear shot of Sarah. She laughs, saying to herself that this thing is impossible, they are too old.

Sarah’s laugh was not a laughter of faith, like Abraham, but a laughter of doubting and distrust. Sarah could not get over was her age. I am waxed old — like an old worn-out garment is the meaning. And past child-bearing age, AND having been barren, AND Abraham is old also. 

Sarah’s conduct has been unjustly condemned. Though Abraham may have guessed that his visitors were more than men, she probably had no such suspicions. Sitting inside the tent, and catching their words occasionally, listening, she hears her own name mentioned, when she hears them talk of her having a child she naturally laughs. thinking possibly that they did not know ALL the circumstances. 

This is now the promise to Sarah. The men have come to speak to Sarah. “Where is Sarah thy wife?”  And He said, “I will certainly return to you according to the time of life, and behold, Sarah your wife shall have a son.” Sarah was listening in the tent door.

Sarah hears this with surprise. She knows that she is past child-bearing. Sarah laughed within herself, within the tent and behind the speaker; yet to her surprise her internal feelings are known to him. 

The man replies, “Is anything too hard for the Lord?”

In her confusion and fear, knowing her heart was read, she denies that she laughed. Perhaps at this point she realizes this is more than a man. The God who sees me hears me. He insists that she did laugh, at least in the thought of her heart. 

I believe this is the point at which Sarah receives faith and strength to conceive. The word told to her husband has now been told to her. And we find  sarah in the faith chapter

Hebrews 11:11 NKJV By faith Sarah herself received power to conceive, even when she was past the age, since she considered him faithful who had promised. 12 Therefore from one man, and him as good as dead, were born descendants as many as the stars of heaven and as many as the innumerable grains of sand by the seashore.

Is anything too hard for the Lord??

I recently read a book, “Surprised by the Voice of the Lord” and the author said this, I am paraphrasing, “For most of my life I believed God for too little. For the rest of my life, if I have to make one mistake, it will to believe God for too much”

But we know that is impossible to believe God for too much. Nothing is too hard for the Lord. It is only impossible in our eyes.

He has a purpose in everything He does. God’s promises shape and test us before they come to pass. 

Psalm 105:19 (ESV): “Until what he had said came to pass, the word of the Lord tested him.”

This verse refers specifically to Josep, but there is a spiritual principle at work. God gave Joseph prophetic dreams about his future leadership when he was a teenager. However, before those dreams were fulfilled, he was sold into slavery and wrongfully imprisoned for years. During this painful waiting period, the very word and promise God gave him acted as a test to refine his faith, patience, and character. 

What does this mean to you?

1)God’s word will test our faith, “Did God really say?” Is the language of the enemy. Make no mistake we have a common enemy and he hates us. His job is to deceive, to introduce doubt and disbelief. He undermines the word of the Lord and attacks the character of God.

Proverbs 30:5: “Every word of God is tested; He is a shield to those who take refuge in Him.”

Parable of the sower Mark 4:16-17 16 These likewise are the ones sown on stony ground who, when they hear the word, immediately receive it with gladness; 17 and they have no root in themselves, and so endure only for a time. Afterward, when tribulation or persecution arises for the word’s sake, immediately they stumble. 

Deuteronomy 8:2: “…the Lord your God has led you these forty years in the wilderness, that he might humble you, testing you to know what was in your heart, whether you would keep his commandments or not.” 

Tribulation and persecution WILL arise to test your faith in God’s Word. It is not a matter of IF but WHEN.

We immediately love the promise, but we struggle when our expectation does not align with the reality of our circumstances. A word from God creates a gap between what is promised and what is currently seen. When God gives a word, the waiting period before its fulfillment serves as a crucible. 

A crucible is a heat-resistant container used to melt or alter substances at extremely high temperatures. A specialized vessel—traditionally made of clay, porcelain, or graphite—engineered to withstand intense heat. Used by jewelers, metallurgists, and chemists to melt ores, cast metals, or perform chemical reactions requiring high temperatures.

Figuratively, a crucible refers to a severe trial or a transformative situation where people or ideas are rigorously tested. It is a challenging, often painful experience that tests a person’s character or resolve.

The Crucible of the Promise- when God speaks a word whether by the Spirit, another or the written word of the lord, it will be tested in your life, whether you will believe and hold firmly to God’s truth or whether you will fall into doubt and disbelief, despise God’s Word and fail to receive that which was promised.

Hebrews 12:16-17 NKJV lest there be any fornicator or [a]profane person like Esau, who for one morsel of food sold his birthright. 17 For you know that afterward, when he wanted to inherit the blessing, he was rejected, for he found no place for repentance, though he sought it diligently with tears.

Sarah only knew her circumstances. Because God is supernatural, He speaks to things that only He can accomplish and it is on us to either believe that word or believe our present circumstances.

God spoke to pastor and I about planting a church- but it took five years, military service, several moves until that word came to pass. We had to hold onto what the Lord had shown us. Did we get discouraged? Yes. But we held each other accountable to the vision- I had severe internal struggles. My past was horrible. Could God use a wretch like me to build His glorious church? I was told HE would not.  Would I stand firm on His calling in my life, even if my mind could not conceive how HE could or would use me?

Faith is not seeing, neither is it walking blindly. It is holding fast to what the Lord has spoken.

2 Corinthians 5:7  For we walk by faith, not by sight.

God is strengthening our trust in Him. True biblical faith requires trusting the word even when everyday reality completely contradicts it.

God spoke multiple times to Abraham and to Sarah, strengthening their faith in His word. Sometimes you have to turn your back on everyone and everything and strengthen yourself in the Lord!

1 Samuel 30:6  Now David was greatly distressed, for the people spoke of stoning him, because the soul of all the people was [a]grieved, every man for his sons and his daughters. But David strengthened himself in the Lord his God.

When David faced his darkest crisis: his city was burned, his family was captured, and his desperate men threatened to stone him, he did not give in to despair. Instead, he drew his courage and hope directly from God.

Guard your faith! Turn your face away from the problem and unto Jesus! A preacher told a story of a time when his son was in a bad motorcycle accident, They were at the hospital and he was watching his wife as they got news that their son may not live- she turned her face to the wall, rebuked fear, and called on the name of the Lord.

This is the actions of someone who has drawn strength from the Lord time and time again. They are not a novice- they have learned to face things with the help and power of the Lord. They have spent years and years in prayer and the reading of His word.

Abraham would not have ever been able to offer up Isaac if he did not have faith in God’s Word. The word will test you, and you will be put through a crucible!

IS anything too hard for the Lord!!??

2)God’s word is meant to refine our character. His divine promises are not just future rewards, but tools for present transformation.

The time period of waiting becomes a refining fire where God is purging our flaws.

Zechariah 13:9 New King James Version

9 I will bring the one-third through the fire, Will refine them as silver is refined,
And test them as gold is tested. They will call on My name, And I will answer them.
I will say, ‘This is My people’; And each one will say, ‘The Lord is my God.’ ”

The delay exposes hidden pride, impatience, self-reliance, and other ungodly traits forcing those traits to the surface to be removed. What will you do when God reveals the impurities in you? The fire will be turned up and impurities will arise. You have a choice. Let the Holy Spirit deal with those sins, or ignore it, ignore the refining fire and conviction and continue on in your pride?

God is more concerned with our character than our comfort! God prioritizes who a person is becoming over how comfortable they are during the process.

James 1:2-3: “Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness.”

I have learned that discomfort and discipline from the Father actually means that I am loved and accepted. HE is dealing with me as a daughter. It is for my good that I go through hard times and hard trials. He is perfecting in me good character, and molding and conforming me into Jesus. This is my purpose in this world, to be conformed into the image of Jesus, give God glory and do His will. 

Whatever crucible I have to endure to become more Christ-like is worth the trial.

I remember a season early on in the ministry that was hard on me and hard on my family. It was a long season, at least much longer than I wanted it to be. I remember after a few years finally asking the Lord what was going on. I had done everything I knew to do. I prayed against the enemy. I took my thoughts captive. I worshipped. I prayed and prayed and prayed. The Lord spoke a word to me I will never forget, “Crystal, I am teaching you compassion.”

2 Corinthians 1:3-4 NKJV  Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, 4 who comforts us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort those who are in any [a]trouble, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God.

The Word is a mirror. Scripture functions as a diagnostic tool, revealing the true motives and alignment of the human heart.

James 1:23-24 NKJV  For if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a man observing his natural face in a mirror; 24 for he observes himself, goes away, and immediately forgets what kind of man he was.

How the word works as a mirror-

Reflection: Just as a physical mirror shows exactly what you look like on the outside, a word or message reveals the reality of your inner self. It exposes thoughts, biases, and unsaid feelings. Get you MY Utmost for His Highest Devo and get rid of your “Jesus is Calling”. 

Clarity: It cuts through self-deception and hypocrisy. When we hear or read certain truths, it forces us to confront who we are versus who we claim to be. Tozer on self-deception, you agree with yourself

Call to Action: A mirror is only useful if you do something about what you see. Hearing a truth and immediately forgetting it renders the reflection useless

We must see ourselves clearly! I praise God for tribulations and trials! They 1) make me reliant on the Lord and not myself, 2) deal with any and all pride in myself and my ability to handle things by indepentntly and 3) lead me to fall into the Lord’s hands for comfort

Through the crucible of refining our character, God is preparing us to receive the promise. The test ensures that when the promise is finally fulfilled, you have the spiritual maturity to handle it without falling into pride. 

I think about King David, getting a word when he was just a young man and having to wait15+ years to be king. HE was being prepared to rule a kingdom in righteousness and justice.

Joseph was being prepared to be second in command over an entire nation, and to save his people during the time of a famine.

1 Timothy 5:22  Do not lay hands on anyone hastily, nor share in other people’s sins; keep yourself pure.

God does not put people into positions they are not ready for, we should be mindful of this. Know yourself well enough to say, “I am not ready for the promise”. Look at yourself soberly and with discerning eyes.

Is anything too hard for the Lord?!

3)The character of God is at stake. This time-gap forces a person to choose between relying on circumstances or relying on the character of the Promise-Giver. 

WE had people tell us to not plant a church- family members and even pastors. I had people tell me that God could not use me in the ministry because of my past. We had to rely on the Word and character of a God who makes all things new. I will tell you as someone who came from the wrong side of the railroad tracks- one of the hardest promises you will have to receive is being a new creation in Jesus Christ, that your sins are under the blood, that you are loved and forgiven, that HE holds you in His faithful hands and that one day HE is returning for His faithful ones.

You have got to get to know the Lord! Otherwise you will be tossed to and fro with every wind and storm that comes at you. We can only know His character through prayer and the Word, otherwise you will find yourself believing in another Jesus and another gospel, which many in today’s world are falling prey to.  

God acts, keeps His word, and shows mercy “for His name’s sake”. God’s ultimate motivation for keeping His promises is rooted in His own perfect character, flawless reputation, and glory, rather than human merit. 

Psalm 23:3  ESV  He restores my soul. He leads me in paths of righteousness[a]for his name’s sake.

His reputation is at stake! The psalmist writes that God leads us in paths of righteousness “for His name’s sake,” indicating that His guidance and restoration are ultimately to bring honor to His own reputation.

Ezekiel 36:22-23 ESV  “Therefore say to the house of Israel, Thus says the Lord God: It is not for your sake, O house of Israel, that I am about to act, but for the sake of my holy name, which you have profaned among the nations to which you came. 23 And I will vindicate the holiness of my great name, which has been profaned among the nations, and which you have profaned among them. And the nations will know that I am the Lord, declares the Lord God, when through you I vindicate my holiness before their eyes.

He delivers despite our failures. When the Israelites were unfaithful, God repeatedly spared and restored them not because they deserved it, but to protect the holiness of His name among the surrounding nations.

Psalm 138:2 English Standard Version  I bow down toward your holy temple and give thanks to your name for your steadfast love and your faithfulness, for you have exalted above all things  your name and your word.[a]

God’s promises are backed by the ultimate honor of His name, making His Word completely trustworthy. 

Because God’s name represents who He is (holy, just, and loving), His integrity is always on display. Therefore, He keeps His word because He cannot lie, deny Himself, or allow His reputation to be compromised

4)The Word of the Lord has sustaining power. The word given is not just the test; it is also the anchor that keeps us from giving up. It reveals that our present circumstances do not dictate our future in the Lord. We have hope in Christ, to see us through, to do all He said He would do

Jeremiah 1:12 ESV  Then the Lord said to me, “You have seen well, for I am watching over my word to perform it.”

He is actively watching over His promises to bring them to pass. Not a Word that He has said will fail. He will do all He said He would do. Even if it takes 70 years to bring it to pass. Jer 29:11 promise had a 70 year time gap. We must remain loyal to His Word. It is God’s character to keep His Word and that He is returning for us to bring us into His kingdom.

Staying faithful in the dark proves that we love God for who He is, not just for what He provides.