The Refiner's Fire
A Christian can overcome any obstacle by meeting it with complete trust in God, and by learning to praise rather than complain.
A.W. Tozer emphasizes that a Christian's trust in God can overcome any adversary, likening challenges to the atmospheric resistance that helps an airplane soar. He asserts that blaming others for our defeats only empowers them, while true strength comes from recognizing our own responsibility and maintaining faith. Tozer highlights that the most resilient Christians often emerge from trials, learning to rely on God rather than their own understanding. He encourages believers to shift from complaining to praising, as this simple change can lead to spiritual growth and victory over obstacles.
Text
Ten thousand enemies cannot stop a Christian, cannot even slow him down, if he meets them in a attitude of complete trust in God. They will become to him like the atmosphere that resists the airplane, but which because the plane's designer knew how to take advantage of that resistance, actually lifts the plane aloft and holds it there for a journey of 2,000 miles. What would have been an enemy to the plane becomes a helpful servant to aid it on its way.
The main thing is this: we should never blame anyone or anything for our defeats. No matter how evil their intentions may be, they are altogether unable to harm us until we begin to blame them and use them as excuses for our own unbelief. Then they become potent to do us injury; nevertheless, we are to blame and not they.
If this should seem like a bit of theorizing, remember that always the greatest Christians have come out of hard times and tough situations. Tribulations actually worked for their spiritual perfection in that they taught them to trust not in themselves but in the Lord who raised the dead. They learned that the enemy could not block their progress unless they surrendered to the urgings of the flesh and began to complain. And slowly, they learned to stop complaining and start praising. It is that simple--and it works!
Sermon Outline
- The Power of Trust in God
- The Dangers of Blame
- Tribulations and Spiritual Perfection
- Hard times teach us to trust in the Lord
- Complaining gives the enemy power, praising gives God power
Key Quotes
“Ten thousand enemies cannot stop a Christian, cannot even slow him down, if he meets them in a attitude of complete trust in God.” — A.W. Tozer
“What would have been an enemy to the plane becomes a helpful servant to aid it on its way.” — A.W. Tozer
“It is that simple--and it works!” — A.W. Tozer
Application Points
- When facing hard times, remember to trust in the Lord and praise Him, not complain.
- Do not blame others for your defeats, take responsibility for your own unbelief.
- Tribulations can work for your spiritual perfection if you face them with trust and praise.