The Fire Mass: Jesus' Deepest Desires, Part 5
Moss covered lava fields near where Jon preached
June 8, 1783 will always be remembered in Iceland. On that fateful day a 26
kilometer (16 mile) fissure cracked open in the volcano called Laki, and over 37
cubic meters (9 cubic miles) of lava erupted over the southern region of the
island. This eruption, which lasted for nearly eight months, would have
repercussions all over world. (Read more about it in an upcoming devotional
called The Skaftár Fires).
One humble pastor faced this adversity with dignity. Though given the
opportunity to leave, Jón Steingrímsson remained behind with his parishioners,
dispensing food and money, even though thick ash clouds created perpetual
darkness and winter-like conditions that lasted nearly a year. Even though he
lost his beloved wife and many close friends to the ravages of this eruption, he
continued to put his trust in the One who he called his friend: Jesus Christ
Himself.
One day a huge wall of lava was heading straight to Kirkjubæjarklaustur, his
hometown. It didn't stop him from having conducting a church service, however.
He preached with passion that day, and his discourse, which we now call the
"Fire Mass", will never be forgotten. He concluded the service by saying, "Let
us pray to God in correct piety, that He in His grace will not want destroy us
in haste. Each and every one pray without fear. Each and every one be ready to
die if it pleases Him. Not in ours, but Your name do we praise glory."
As the members left their humble congregation, they were amazed to see that the
lava had changed its course, thus sparing the town. Jón's prayers had been
answered.
We may wonder if this was pure coincidence. Maybe the lava flow would have
changed its course no matter what. Jón had no doubt, however, that his prayer of
faith had been answered by God Himself.
Faith without doubting can truly stop anything, even the unstoppable!
But why would we even wonder if this was pure coincidence? Do we doubt that God
can come through for us? Have we reached the end times where doubt is the norm
and the miraculous seems to be a fable of the past?
"When the Son of Man comes, will he find faith on the earth?" (Luke 18:8 NIV)
Do we allow our hearts to be troubled from time to time? Or perhaps MOST of the
time?
"Do not let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God; trust also in me." (John 14:1
NIV)
When Jesus uttered these words in Luke 18:8, is it possible that he was
referring to our lack of trust in His ability to provide for our needs? Is it
possible that all the worry we cultivate on a daily basis is separating us from
the One who can and will come through for us? Has our faith turned into a mere
facade ? Have we sacrificed our faith in the Almighty on the altar of worry?
When the Son of Man comes back, will He find us filled with faith and trusting
in His providence? Or will He instead find us with troubled hearts, worrying
about things He has already promised to take care of?
The huge wall of lava was stopped, not by coincidence, but by faith. Our
perspective on worldly matters will either build up our trust in the Almighty or
leave us troubled to the core.
Our God is bigger than all of our circumstances combined. If walls of lava can
be stopped by faith, nothing will ever be impossible to us, as the Almighty is
at our side! "If God is for us, who can be against us?" (Rom 8:31 NIV)
Even gigantic walls of doubt can be broken by faith!
"I better get out of here! It's getting way too hot to my taste!"
Maybe this is your opportunity to show in whom you put your trust!
Rob Chaffart