Some people have this distorted definition of who or what God is. Some people think He is this magical genie in a bottle that will grant our wishes if we pray to Him. When He doesn’t grant our wish it causes unbelief and hopelessness for some people. I am ashamed to say I have been one of those people. It was not until I had an encounter with God that He showed me who He truly was. He showed me his sovereignty. Only then did I truly realize that I control nothing and all power is in His hands alone.
My encounter led me to the story of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego. In Daniel 3, they were in a tough situation. King Nebuchadnezzar ordered that everyone in his kingdom worship his gold statue or be thrown in a fiery furnace for their disobedience. They were faced with the dilemma of defying their King or defying their God. It’s sad to say, but I’m not sure most Christians today wouldn’t compromise to preserve their own lives.
The Scripture reads: Nebuchadnezzar said to them, “Is it true, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, that you refuse to serve my gods or to worship the gold statue I have set up? I will give you one more chance to bow down and worship the statue I have made when you hear the sound of the musical instruments. But if you refuse, you will be thrown immediately into the blazing furnace. And then what god will be able to rescue you from my power?” Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego replied, “O Nebuchadnezzar, we do not need to defend ourselves before you. If we are thrown into the blazing furnace, the God whom we serve is able to save us. He will rescue us from your power, Your Majesty. But even if he doesn’t, we want to make it clear to you, Your Majesty, that we will never serve your gods or worship the gold statue you have set up.” Daniel 3:14-18
I absolutely love their boldness and confidence in the Lord. Saying “O Nebuchadnezzar, we do not need to defend ourselves before you.” How many of us can say we are that bold and confident in the Lord's power that we would speak to a person of authority that way. But that’s not even the best part. They say, “He will rescue us from your power, Your Majesty. But even if he doesn’t, we want to make it clear to you, Your Majesty, that we will never serve your gods or worship the gold statue you have set up.” But even if He doesn’t. This statement tells me all I need to know about the great faith of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego.
They know that the One True God is able to deliver them from any and all trouble. However, they acknowledge and know that His will alone will be done.
They know that the One True God is able to deliver them from any and all trouble. However, they acknowledge and know that His will alone will be done. They are fine with whatever the Lord has in store for them because they know that the Lord is faithful and true. Even if God allowed them to be burned in the furnace, they were confident that this earth was not their home and that they would be with the Lord if they were to die a physical death. I believe they realized that the King could very well harm their physical flesh but could not take away their spirit of freedom in the Lord. The freedom of Knowing Him so deeply that they are confident that whatever His will is, is what’s best.
This passage blessed me so much and caused me to put things into perspective. We tend to think that if we follow all the rules and are good people that only good should come to us. On the contrary, being a "good" person and following Christ doesn’t mean that your life will be without trouble. Philippians 3:10 says we will know Him in His power as well as the fellowship of His suffering. However, as believers, our hope must constantly be in the Lord. No matter what we go through or what He allows to happen to us, we must trust Him. We must trust that whatever He has for us is a part of his good and perfect will. Knowing that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose. Roman 8:28.
We must have faith that God’s promises are always fulfilled whether on this side of our journey with Him or in eternity. His Word cannot return void. We have to remember that we are just visitors here on this earth sent to fulfill the great commission and lead others back to Him. Our call is to help the creation be reconciled to THE CREATOR.
My prayer is that whatever trouble or hardship you face, you will not conform or compromise. I pray you will be as bold as Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego. I hope their testimony encourages you on your journey with Christ. The Lord is in control and He has the best for us no matter what we go through.
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