Thursday August 18, 2016

 

It is always easier to live out your faith when things are going well; what is hard is trusting God when life is not so good. When we suffer difficulties and hardships, we tend to pray and hope for an immediate response expecting God to change our circumstances. Ever so often though, the opposite occurs; not only does the miracle no happen, but also things seem to go from bad to worse. However, during times like this is when we most need to live out our faith. The problem is that when times like these come around, our tendency is to abandon our faith and to take matters into or own hands. When our lives are out of control, when we are unable to meet our financial responsibilities, when the family is falling apart, when our health gives out, when things are not heading in the right direction, it does not mean that God is neither able nor that He has lost control.

 

Speaking of life being out of control, imagine how Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego must have felt. King Nebuchadnezzar destroyed their country and took them against their will to serve in the Royal Palace. I am certain they prayed that God would intervene on their behalf asking continuously for God to free them from the injustice they were living. It would appear however, that God was not listening to their prayers because things went from bad to worse. One day, the King decided to build a ninety-foot high statue of himself. He demanded that each time the band would play everyone had to bow down and worship the image of the King. Those who refused would be immediately thrown into a burning furnace. At this point, things went from bad to worse but it was also at this point, where Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego stepped up to the plate and lived out their faith.

 

Daniel 3:16-18 NLT

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.”

 

Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego were certain as to who God was and had complete confidence in His ability to rescue them. What they did not know was whether God was going to rescue them. Can you imagine living with that level of faith, a faith that is so much stronger than life that it is worth dying for? This is exactly what these men were committed to; they were not about to allow external circumstances to cause them to deviate no matter what the threat was. This is what you call faith! Faith like this should be easier for us because we have the testimony of these courageous men to encourage us and we have the promises of God.

 

Romans 8:28 NIV

And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.