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“But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you…”  -Acts 1:8

Refined Like Silver

Fire is a rapid chemical change that reveals light and produces heat.  This combustion of chemicals results in a powerful element that can both cleanse and destroy.  Fire is generally viewed as negative, especially when it comes to forest fires.  However, wildfires can actually restore and revitalize forest ecosystems.  The dead trees and decaying plants are burned up, making way for new plants to grow.  In much of the same way, fire refines silver.  The lead is oxidized and burned off of the silver to reveal a purer metal that is both precious and more valuable. 

As Christians, we are that silver being refined and cleansed in the fire of God.  Our old sinful ways are being burned off, while our hearts are being cleansed and renewed.

“For you, O God, tested us; you refined us like silver” (Psalm 66:10).

Holy Spirit And Fire

In Matthew 3:11, John the Baptist said, “I baptize you with water for repentance.  But after me will come one who is more powerful than I, whose sandals I am not fit to carry.  He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and with fire.”  

Jesus baptizes with the Holy Spirit and fire to give us power to be his witnesses.  “But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth” (Acts 1:8).  And it is through spiritual gifts (1 Corinthians 12) that we can display this power and be a witness of the gospel of Jesus Christ.

Fire Of Judgement

The fiery sky in Cloudy With A Chance Of Fire is also a reminder of the fire of Judgement.

‘”Surely the day is coming; it will burn like a furnace.  All the arrogant and every evildoer will be stubble, and that day that is coming will set them on fire,” says the Lord Almighty.  “Not a root or a branch will be left to them” (Malachi 4:1).

“His winnowing fork is in his hand and he will clear his threshing floor, gathering his wheat into the barn and burning up the chaff with unquenchable fire” (Matthew 3:12).   

That sounds rather bleak, however, God gives us hope if we will just revere his name.  To revere in the Hebrew translation means to admire, adore, and worship.  According to the prophet Malachi, those (the chaff) who are evil and wicked will perish in the fire.  However, if we (his wheat) follow God and revere his name, then he will heal us and give us life.

“But for you who revere my name, the sun of righteousness will rise with healing in its wings.  And you will go out and leap like calves released from the stall”‘ (Malachi 4:2).