He didn't take away the fire
24 Then Nebuchadnezzar the king [looked and] was
astounded, and he jumped up and said to his counselors, “Did we not throw three
men who were tied up into the midst of the fire?” They replied to the king,
“Certainly, O king.” 25 He answered, “Look! I see
four men untied, walking around in the midst of the fire, and they are not
hurt! And the appearance of the fourth is like the Son of God!”
(Daniel 3:24-25).
Sometimes God does not take
away the fiery trials (impossible situations) in our lives. Sometimes
you have an Esther situation where you have to be willing to lose it all, even
your life, to stick with God. And in those difficult times, we come to the
crossroads where we either say “God, even if you don’t change this situation You
are my hope and my God,” or “God if you don’t change this situation that’s it,
I give up.”
I have always loved the
story of Meshach, Shadrach, and Abednego in the Fiery Furnace. How great a
faith they had in their God, that when faced with certain death they claimed “O
Nebuchadnezzar, we do not need to answer you on this point. 17 If
it be so, our God whom we serve is able to rescue us from the furnace of
blazing fire, and He will rescue us from your hand, O king. 18 But
even if He does not, let it be known to you, O king, that we
are not going to serve your gods or worship the golden image that you have set
up!” (Daniel 3:16-18).
Wow! That’s what I call “Grace Under Fire.” But
how is this applicable to our lives today?
In some parts of the world
Christians are tortured and/or killed for not obeying the commands of their
ruling government. Although many will become martyrs for the
faith, there are some who live to tell of the miraculous workings of God in
their impossible situation. Stories of salvation and deliverance, not just of their
selves, but of those who witnessed their trial. All glory be to Jehovah!
Most of us though, have not
and will not face such harrowing situations, but that does not mean we do not
go through impossible moments in our lives. The trial may be in a different
form, but nonetheless a trial is a trial. And we must be willing to trust God no matter what. To the point where we, like the three Hebrew men, say "Even if God does not change this situation, I will serve Him because He alone is God and He alone is my hope."
My most recent fiery trial
had to do with my finances. The choice came between doing what I know is
right in God’s eyes or doing what is considered right in man’s eyes. I chose to
stand for God and had to resign from a position. Now my choice seemed foolish to the world that I would walk away from a well-paying
position. But you know what? My family has not lacked of any need. God has taken
such great care of us, though often things would come through at the last
minute (like the Hebrew men in the furnace). Literally a bill would be due and that day God would send the income! It took me trusting in God wholeheartedly walking in faith believing that He is our Provider and our Shepherd. And He has not let
us down!
Not only has He taken care
of my physical needs, but I have been through a renewing and refreshing in my
relationship with Christ. I have learned more about Him and about who I am in
Him. I’ve also learned about some attitudes and behaviors that were in me that didn’t
please Him. The LORD has truly been making and molding me into a more useful
vessel for His purposes (and it has not been easy, lol). But it is so worth it!
I wouldn’t trade this time of trying and change for anything.
I hold on to the scripture
from 1 Peter 4:12-19 that says:
“Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery ordeal
which is taking place to test you [that is, to test the quality of your faith],
as though something strange or unusual were happening to you. But
insofar as you are sharing Christ’s sufferings, keep on rejoicing, so that when
His glory [filled with His radiance and splendor] is revealed, you may rejoice
with great joy. If you are insulted and reviled
for [bearing] the name of Christ, you are blessed [happy, with life-joy and
comfort in God’s salvation regardless of your circumstances], because the
Spirit of glory and of God is resting on you [and indwelling you—He whom they
curse, you glorify]. Make sure that none of you
suffers as a murderer, or a thief, or any sort of criminal [in response to
persecution], or as a troublesome meddler interfering in the affairs of others; but
if anyone suffers [ill-treatment] as a Christian
[because of his belief], he is not to be ashamed, but is to glorify God
[because he is considered worthy to suffer] in this name. For
it is the time [destined] for judgment to begin with the household of God; and
if it begins with us, what will the outcome be for those who
do not respect or believe or obey the gospel
of God? And if it is difficult for the righteous
to be saved, what will become of the godless and the sinner? Therefore,
those who are ill-treated and suffer in accordance with the
will of God must [continue to] do right and commit their souls [for
safe-keeping] to the faithful Creator.”
Can I give you a little counsel
based on experience? There are times in our walk with Jesus Christ where we are
tempted to doubt and think that a situation is insurmountable, the conditions
are just too hot or too cold. But God is in control! He is the great I AM and
He can be trusted. Do not despise the impossible situations or the harsh
seasons and take any condemnation from the enemy that they are your fault and
give up. PRESS THROUGH! There is great beauty on the other side of every trial. There is unspeakable glory on the other side of the fire. And we can
only experience that beauty and that glory when we trust God to bring us through.
He’s the only One Who can bring us to that place of beauty.
Look at what happened after
the men were taken out of the furnace:
“The satraps, the prefects, the governors and the
king’s counselors gathered around them and saw that in regard to these men the
fire had no effect on their bodies—their hair was not singed, their clothes
were not scorched or damaged, even the smell of smoke was not
on them. Nebuchadnezzar responded and said, “Blessed
be the God of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-nego, who has sent His angel and
rescued His servants who believed in, trusted in, and relied
on Him! They violated the king’s command and surrendered their bodies rather
than serve or worship any god except their own God.” (Daniel 3:27-28)
The three men did not have any harmful effects from the fire. They came out clothed in the glory of God! And on top of
that, the pagan king gave glory to the One True God Jehovah for the miraculous
event that had taken place. God’s glory can never be covered up! When He brings
you through an impossible situation, people notice (especially the ones who
didn’t think you would make it through).
I do not know what all is
to come out of my most recent “fiery furnace” but I give God the glory for what
He has done. And I give Him the glory for what He has yet to manifest in my
life. God is not finished with me yet!
GOD IS NOT FINISHED WITH
YOU YET!!!
Everything in us that needs
to be changed, removed, or even demolished is not taken care of and addressed
all at once. We would not make it through such a drastic change. But our God,
who is loving, kind, and patient takes time to remake and remold us into the
people we were always meant to be. It’s a process and only God knows the proper
“when and how” to work in us through His Holy Spirit. Let us not resist those transformation seasons.
“He who has begun a good
work in you will complete it until the day of Jesus Christ.” (Philippians 1:6)
“Let us hold fast our
confession of hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful.” (Hebrews
10:23)
“He who calls you is
faithful, who also will do it.” (1 Thessalonians 5:24)
Trust God. Be faithful. Obey God and His word. Be constant in your faith. Spend time
with the LORD everyday. Speak to Him, pray, sing songs that bring a smile to
His face. Can I tell you a secret? There were days when I was so overwhelmed by
the impossible situations that I didn’t even know how to pray. I just sang songs to God.
It’s all I could do. And I know He heard the cry of my heart through my praise.
So if you’re in the middle of a fiery furnace right now and you have decided
that “come what may” you are sticking with God, I encourage you. God has not
removed the fire for a reason and oh, what a glorious reason it is!
With great love,
Kelly
Comments
Post a Comment