AnonymousUnknown author [Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons[/caption]The story of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego in the third chapter of Daniel is one of my Old Testament favorites. The three young men refused to bow down and worship the golden statue that King Nebuchadnezzar had made. The penalty by law was to be cast into the fiery furnace. You know the story. All ends well. An angel was sent by God to shield the youths from the fire and heat. “Not a hair of their heads had been singed” (Daniel 3:94). In complete awe, the king promoted the faithful servants of God and decreed that never more would their God be blasphemed.
Here’s the thing, though. Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego did not know that everything was going to be okay. Still, they remained faithful to God, even in the midst of uncertainty.
“If our God, whom we serve, can save us from the white-hot furnace and from your hands, O King, may He save us! But even if He will not, you should know, O King, that we will not serve your god or worship the golden statue which you set up.” (Daniel 3:17-18)Wow! Am I that faithful? They knew God could save them, and they hoped that He would, but they did not base their faith in Him on how He would answer their prayer. Do I truly trust God to do what is best for me? Can I say, “Even if He will not answer my prayer the way I want, I will still serve the Lord.” Even if He will not cure my daughter of her mental illness … Even if He will not take away my mother’s cancer … Even if He will not deliver my friend from his addiction … Even if He will not heal my marriage … Even if He will not find me a job by the end of the month when all the bills are due … Even if He will not pay all my bills … Even if He will not … (you fill in the blank). Even if He will not deliver me from this valley of darkness, I will still trust and serve Him. My trust in God does not come from what He does for me, but from Who He is to me. I serve Him not because of what I get out of it, but simply because He is, so I will. In the moment, I may not know how everything will turn out. I may not understand why this is happening. One thing I do know for sure, though, is that when I look back on my life, I can see God’s wisdom and providence. So, I will serve God, even if He will not save me from my current condition. Yet, I trust that He will because He always keeps His promises. God will not be outdone in faithfulness. The story of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego is proof.
Copyright 2019 Kelly Guest
About the Author
.png?width=1806&height=731&name=CatholicMom_hcfm_logo1_pos_871c_2728c%20(002).png "CatholicMom_hcfm_logo1_pos_871c_2728c (002)"){kind=logo}
_-_Fiery_furnace_01.jpg){kind=link}
Comments