As I sit here, on this overcast morning, waiting to hear from God…I close my eyes and ask, “What do You want to say?” This question is normal for me to ask, but the responses are never the same. He always has something different to say. It’s become a truly wonderful experience to lean in, listen, and hear words that I either don’t know or are simply not “normal” words to my vocabulary. Each time I hear one, I immediately go to my phone and type it in to receive a definition. This morning’s word is: foundry.
Foundry: a workshop or factory for casting metal.
An unusual word for me to think about…I can say with certainty that God released it to me. but upon reading the definition, I know He’s doing two things…speaking to me personally and giving me a devotional topic to share.
We are in the foundry right now. Our family is, but also America. At the same time, we are all being forged in the fires of discomfort, uncertainty, and wonder over our future. We wonder what America will look like in a year. We wonder how we’ve declined so quickly, unless it’s intentional. And if it’s intentional, then how do we separate from those treasonous individuals who are bent upon destroying our country from within? How can we stand? Who will stand? Will the church ever notice they are under attack? The games of distraction, disinformation, and disconnection are strong. “Look this way!”, we are told. “Believe this, not your eyes.”, we are lied to. “This could never happen here.”, we are deceived into inaction with this thought.
Whether we realize it or not, we are in the foundry being forged by the fire. But overall, this is a really good thing. Forging removes impurities and imperfections. It’s necessary to reveal what needs to be removed from metal so it’s as strong as it needs to be. We are being perfected in the fire. Yes, I know perfection cannot be fully attained, but we can most definitely keep taking one step at a time toward it. And we should. We should always be moving toward Jesus. The Author and Perfector of our faith.
God has been removing chaff for some time now. It takes time to remove what’s been deeply engrained. He’s steadily renewing our minds. Taking us out of our slumber. Awakening our hearts to Truth. Giving us courage to stand against those who are under demonic clouds of deception and leading masses astray. We are not alone. We have a great cloud of witnesses standing with us, when we stand for Truth. We lean into the unseen, as the world demands we believe what we should not see. Spiritual eyes are opening to see the demonic for what it is. The time is now.
Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a huge crowd of witnesses to the life of faith, let us strip off every weight that slows us down, especially the sin that so easily trips us up. And let us run with endurance the race God has set before us. We do this by keeping our eyes on Jesus, the Champion who initiates and perfect our faith. Because of the joy awaiting Him, He endured the cross, disregarding its shame. Now He is seated in the place of honor beside God’s throne. Think of the hostility He endured from sinful people; then you won’t become weary and give up. After all, you have not yet given your lives in your struggle against sin. Hebrews 12:1-4
365 Days in the Presence 