Even If He Does Not: Part 3

Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego’s dedication to God did not depend on how He chose to answer their prayers.

“They replied to King Nebuchadnezzar, ‘We do not need to defend ourselves before you in this matter. 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. 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.” (Daniel 3:16-18, emphasis added)

Regardless of their destination, the Hebrews knew they could not be thrown beyond the reach of God.

I’m amazed by Christian brothers and sisters who continue to praise God in the midst of trials that come while living in a broken world.

I imagine there are days when it’s difficult to get out from under the covers, to put one foot in front of another.

But they are ministering to me – and countless others – even as they walk through the fire.

They are my heroes, modern day saints, who, like Hananiah, Mishael and Azariah, are relentless in their faith, regardless of their circumstances. They know God is powerful enough to save them from heartache. But they are determined to serve and trust Him – even if He does not.

Peering into their fires, I am bolstered in my own faith.

I see God at work in them and through them; He is ever faithful, always present. He is loving and guiding them every step of the way.

Even If He Does Not: Part 2

Recently, I was reading a familiar story from the Book of Daniel, the basics of which many of us learned as children in Sunday school. 

The story centers around three young Hebrew men who faced an extraordinary decision.  Their names were Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego – or at least that’s how most of us remember them.

But these were actually the names that King Nebuchadnezzar gave them after taking them into captivity. Trying to make them forget their Jewish roots and indoctrinate them into a new way of life, he gave them pagan monikers that paid homage to foreign gods.

However… the three men didn’t care what anyone called them. They would always remember who they really were.

Shadrach was still Hananiah, which means “the LORD shows grace.”

Meshach was still Mishael, which means “who is like God?”.

Abednego was still Azariah, which means “the LORD helps.”

Nebuchadnezzar could take the young men out of Israel, but couldn’t take the Israel out of the men.

Holding tight to their God-given identities, Hananiah, Mishael and Azariah, along with their friend Daniel, continued to thrive in captivity.  

Their careers flourished, and they rose quickly through ranks of Nebuchadnezzar’s leadership team. For a while, it seemed as if their faith and hard work had spared them from significant devastation.

“Happiness and stability are fleeting when you live in a broken kingdom.

King Nebuchadnezzar built a towering statue of gold, silver and bronze. Then he declared that everyone would bow down and worship it at the sound of his alarm. The penalty for insubordination would be certain death.”

Of course Hananiah, Mishael and Azariah would not succumb to idolatry. Even as Nebuchadnezzar threatened to throw them in the furnace, they refused to bow down. They knew who really held their fate in His hands; they answered to the Most High King.

Even If He Does Not: Part 1

I’ve always been a pretty optimistic person. It’s one of my core personality traits.

Of course, I believe this to be a most admirable trait… but I suppose it could sometimes strike the realists in the crowd as annoyingly Pollyanna.

“Eh,” I tend to say, regardless of the present reality. “I’m sure it will all work out fine.” 

Except I’ve become increasingly aware that it doesn’t always turn out fine.

All in all, my life continues to be pretty grand, with blessings beyond what I can count. Yet, at any given moment, my mind will wander to friends and loved ones – good, faithful, beautiful people—who are facing incredibly difficult situations.

Cancer. Death of loved ones. Searching. Loneliness. Hurt.

I’m often overcome as I look into the faces of people at church who are dealing with circumstances beyond my comprehension. They are anything but fine.

And yet, there they are – Sunday after Sunday – praising Jesus with broken hearts and tear-stained faces.

What in the world keeps them coming back?!!

I suppose the world would have any number of explanations. Delusion? Denial? Desperation? Stupidity?

Maybe. 

But in my experiences with heart-broken Christians, I’ve encountered something entirely different…. an unshakeable hope and peace that only comes from walking hand-in-hand with God through the fire.