1. They trusted God and accepted His sovereignty.
"If we are thrown into the blazing furnace, the God we serve is able to save us from it... but even if He does not, we want you to know, King, that we will not serve your gods or worship your image of gold" (Daniel 3:17)
One of the greatest things we can do when faced with suffering is to trust God. To trust Him to deliver us from it but more than that: to trust Him even if He does not deliver us from it. Sadly, many Christians have lost their faith in God because their prayers for deliverance or healing were not answered as quickly as they expected. It's hard, but we need to trust God even when we don't see our prayers being answered as we want them to be. Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego were able to do that. Live or die they would trust their God.
2. They were not alone in the furnace
Go did not deliver them from the furnace as they might have wanted but He was with them as they went through it! And He is with us as we go through hard times too. Sometimes, from the depths of crying out to Him we might find a closeness we have never known before. Sometimes we may feel completely abandoned. He is as close to us whichever we feel. He will not leave us.
3. They came safely through and out the other end.
Sometimes it may feel as if we will be stuck in the darkness forever. Not so. Your pain and hardship may seem unsolveable but God is at work, He knows how much you can handle and He will bring you out the other end, stronger, with a greater faith and a deeper understanding of who He is. His promise is that trials develop character, and although it is painful there will be a great reward at the end of it all for those who remain faithful.
Would we have remembered Sharach, Meshach and Abednego, if God had answered their initial prayers, changed the King's mind, and never put them through the furnace? Probably not. Their testimony was great because of what they overcame. It is the same for us. Our testimony will be far greater because of what we have been through and come out of victorious.
4. They had 'no smell of fire on them' (v27)
Sometimes, when we have been through times of difficulty or pain, we can come out of the fire, but still have the small of it on us. By this I mean that there is a residue of bitterness, doubt or unforgiveness still with us and still affecting us. God's will for us is that we come out of the fire uncontaminated. our faith and love and knowledge of God increased through the time of suffering.
Would we have remembered Sharach, Meshach and Abednego, if God had answered their initial prayers, changed the King's mind, and never put them through the furnace? Probably not. Their testimony was great because of what they overcame. It is the same for us. Our testimony will be far greater because of what we have been through and come out of victorious.
I loved this part!!!
Tonia,
I just joined CafeMom today looking for this very group. I really didn't want to talk/post anything right now but noting that you may soon close this group, I want to take a moment to let you know the HOPE it gave me when I found it. It truly was just what I needed to let me know that I'm not alone in what I'm feeling right now and that it's okay to "take off the smile" someplace safe without fear of looking "weak".
The situation in our home currently isn't "acceptable" and/or conducive to what most consider a Christian family "looks" like and I fear bringing further shame to my Savior by talking to anyone I know about it.
I hope you'll consider committing the outcome - and timing - into His hands (as I'm sure you already have). In the meantime, I'll be certain to network this group in the appropriate places. Thank youTonia, for your faithful stewardship of service and encouragement to the Body of Christ.
In His Love and Grace,
Donna \o/
It's during the fire that God purifies us, and draws us closer to Him. Walking through the fire we grow-because we are forced to give up or trust God. Trusting Him brings us closer to Him. Like charcoal turning into diamonds, they are "refined" in a fire and polished to perfection. Which is God's goal for us as his daughters.
Malachi 3:1-3
1Behold, I will send my messenger, and he shall prepare the way before me: and the LORD, whom ye seek, shall suddenly come to his temple, even the messenger of the covenant, whom ye delight in: behold, he shall come, saith the LORD of hosts.
2But who may abide the day of his coming? and who shall stand when he appeareth? for he is like a refiner's fire, and like fullers' soap:
3And he shall sit as a refiner and purifier of silver: and he shall purify the sons of Levi, and purge them as gold and silver, that they may offer unto the LORD an offering in righteousness.
Love In Christ, Jackie
new here! hoping to get advice
- JESUSCARES4YOU2
on Apr. 11, 2009 at 10:11 AM