Daniel 3:17-18
“ 17 If we are thrown into the blazing furnace, the God we serve is able to deliver us from it, and He will deliver us from Your Majesty’s hand. 18 But even if He does not, we want you to know Your Majesty, that we will not serve your gods or worship the image of gold you have set up.”
Living in a culture saturated with individuals fulfillig desires of the self, we have been trained to expect favorable answers to our requests. Unfortunately, myself, along with other Christians, often unconsciously carry these beliefs into our conversations with the Lord, becoming angry when His answer fails to align with the future we planned. When trials and challenges appear, this demanding behavior frequently becomes exaggerated. Believing in the limitless nature of God’s power and sovereignty, we begin wondering why a good God chooses to say no to saving a life or preventing mass destruction and tragedy in the lives of people He supposedly loves.
For many Christians, childhood serves to build the faith of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, as seen in Daniel 3:17, which helps us face life challenges. While seasons of doubt naturally present themselves, rarely will a Christian fully deny the ever present help and undeniable omnipotence of the God we serve. Rightly, this unshakable belief in deliverance should characterize the faith carried throughout our lives. However, as the fiery furnaces actually loom before us, we often forget the greater demonstration of faith portrayed in verse 18. Rather than simply maintaining that God will answer their cries for help, they proclaim that even if He denies their request, His refusal in no way lessens their faith, or negates His supremacy.
Throughout my illnesses these past years I often prayed for healing and believed it would come, however, I was easily frustrated when circumstances worsened. Imagine if I had embraced the immense faith of these men. The strength of their faith did not rest on the changing consequences of God’s answer but in the character of God alone. In the face of death, this even if faith allowed their firm defense of God and belief in His saving hand regardless of the blazing furnace. Whatever the result, they knew God was good, and therefore His plan for their life was good.
Our commitment to this faith fails to guarantee safety and peace, but allows God to reveal Himself to us and reveal Himself to others through His work in us. How evident would God become in our lives if we constantly trust in His deliverance and goodness, even when He allows us to pass through the fire, rather than resorting to selfish reactions? ew and revealing way that has greatly impacted my life and the lives of those whom witnessed His work in my life. Although it took several painful years of no’s to reach an understanding of this faith, the lesson has proved priceless as God’s character has become more apparent than ever before.
Our commitment to this faith fails to guarantee safety and peace, but allows God to reveal Himself to us and reveal Himself to others through His work in us. How evident would God become in our lives if we constantly trust in His deliverance and goodness even when He allows us to pass through the fire, rather than resorting to selfish reactions?
With a new year, myself, along with all of you, will face new challenges. My goal is to continue developing an even if faith founded in the incredible Savior of the world.