You could be living virtually anywhere in this country and sometime in the past month you would likely have been dealing with scorching and dangerous heat conditions.

Proof of just how widespread this was is the fact that my morning TV news program began nearly every broadcast with a review of how many millions of people were dealing with dangerous temperatures.

Here in the Midwest, we had a long stretch of temps in the mid to high 90s, accompanied by high humidity and dew points in the 70s.  That nasty combo led to heat indices of well over 100 degrees.

Most of us, then, tend to limit our time outside, if possible.  God bless those who work outside for a living! 

For nearly a week, my poor girls did not get their early morning walk.  If it’s over 70 degrees when I get up around 6 am, then no walk.  Their short little noses can’t handle the heat.

These kinds of conditions often cause us to ask, “Who turned on the oven?”  It can certainly feel like that’s what we’ve stepped into.  Then we demand, “Turn off the oven!”

For us Iowans, this past week has brought some much-welcome relief in the form of daily highs in the low- to mid-70s and dewpoints and heat indices back into the comfortable range.

It’s almost like you could hear a huge, collective “AAAAHHHH” across the region!  I think moods lifted, smiles came back, outdoor activities returned, and certain breathing-impaired pups got back to their walking routine.

Life is good!  We are out of the baking sun and back into weather I would label as a perfect 10.

However, as I write this on Saturday morning, meteorologists across our Midwest spectrum have warned us that, once again, the heat is on!  Heat watches and warnings are back in place, and we are expecting heat indices as high as 115 degrees over the next few days.

But let’s not dwell on that!

I want to talk about the moment when I was reminded again of how intentional God is in providing relief when we need it.  I didn’t see it under the blazing sun.  I had a sense of it while I was enjoying those “Chamber of Commerce” days.

But I saw it most clearly when I realized the heat was coming back again. That the length of the relief was intentional as well.

Does that seem strange?  It’s almost as if the full impact of those relief-filled days wasn’t felt until I knew the heat was returning. That’s when the realization hit.

So, yes, I believe God intentionally brought us those beautiful summer days because he knew how close to the breaking point many areas of the country were getting.

In an almost perfect analogy, that’s exactly what God does with the trials he sends our way.

Who of us hasn’t been locked in days of heartache or grief or misery only to question if God even knows how much we’re suffering.

I hope, like me, you’ve been able to see God’s hand – eventually – in bringing some relief to the blazing fire you’ve been suffering through. 

Whether the relief comes in the form of a well-timed call from a friend, or a sermon, devotional, or scripture text that brings a new hope or promise to your heart, or an actual lifting of the burden you’ve been under, be assured that God is perfectly intentional in his timing and in the manner of relief he brings.

I’ve experienced this time and time again throughout my life.  And I believe you’ve likely seen his hand in similar fashion.  Sometimes we have to look hard for it, but it’s his perfect sovereignty that knows just how long we can be in the fire, and how hot that fire can be.

This post isn’t about what God does through the fires in our lives, even though that’s a crucial part of how he works.

Today I want us to marvel at the kindness of a God who knows exactly when and how to bring the relief that we desperately need, and likely begged him for.

God’s character displayed in his creation is absolutely inescapable.  And why should we be surprised by that?  Or wish it was any other way?

I’m comforted by the fact that God’s sovereignty is unquestionable and perfect.  Rest in that truth, my friends – in the fire or in your precious moments of relief.

For the Lord will not cast off forever,

for, though he cause grief, he will have compassion

according to the abundance of his steadfast love;

for he does not afflict from his heart

or grieve the children of men.

Lamentations 3:31-33