The most horrifying thing on the Western plains is the dreaded prairie fire. Until the rains set in, the dry scorching summer months are spent in fear and suspense. Every suggestion of haze or smoke is intensely watched. When once a fire starts and is swept by a breeze, its speed strikes terror in man and beast, mercilessly consuming all in its way! Many, powerless to escape, have perished and their farms have been reduced to ashes.
Others, with presence of mind, seeing their danger, have found one way of escape and have been saved by it. They have stooped and set afire the long dry grass, at their feet, and, then, as soon as the blaze had burned off a space, taken refuge by standing where the fire has been. Thus, just in time they have been saved from the oncoming devouring flame. It was a case of life or certain death!
But thanks be unto our gracious God who has provided a place of safety where the fire has already been. “For Christ also hath once suffered for sins, the just for the unjust” (1 Peter 3:18). On Calvary’s cross He was, as it were, enveloped in the “fire” of God’s righteous judgment to save the trembling sinner who will flee to Him for refuge (Hebrews 6:1818That by two immutable things, in which it was impossible for God to lie, we might have a strong consolation, who have fled for refuge to lay hold upon the hope set before us: (Hebrews 6:18)).