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| photo credit: www.freedigitalphotos.net // adamr |
“If we are thrown into the blazing furnace, the God we serve is able to save us from it, and he will rescue us from your hand, O king. But even if he does not, we want you to know, O king, that we will not serve your gods or worship the image of gold you have set up.” Daniel 3:17-18
The three men King Nebuchadnezzar threatened to throw in the furnace for not bowing down to his false god, knew that Jehovah God was able to deliver them. They said, “even if He does not…we will not serve your gods…” That sounds like they were trusting God. But were they? What about that last part: “even if He does not (do what we know He can)”. Were they giving up? What is the difference?
I believe the difference lies in their actions after that point. They continued to obey (NOT bowing down to the false gods) and they did not complain (woe is me, I’ll be thrown into the fire and I’ll die). That is faith. That is trust.
The enemy tries to halt the army of God with the furnace of this life –through sickness, disease, pain and hurt. Instead of being defeated, God works through those living a fiery life to reach the lost. When those who are broken accomplish God’s plans, the world sees that it is God’s power working through us- not our own power. And many draw closer to God.
The enemy brings on the pains of our flesh to stop us.
God uses the pains of our flesh to draw people to Himself.
Spiritually, God has already freed us from the bondage of sin. He has healed us from the eternal consequences of sin. That was accomplished on the day Jesus died on the cross. All we have to do is believe that Jesus is the Christ, the son of God, confess Him and put our faith in Him.
Physically, God heals us-sometimes in this life, and sometimes in eternity. He delivers us from hard circumstances. Sometimes in this life and sometimes in the next.
If God doesn’t step into our moment with a healing or deliverance in the physical dimension of our life, we can trust Him even as we wait on Him. Continuing in the work He has given us, praising Him and bringing Him glory despite our situation.
In our suffering, it helps to remember:
God is sovereign.
“For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways,” declares the LORD. “As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.” Isaiah 55:8-9 (NIV)
He is faithful.
When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned; the flames will not set you ablaze. Isaiah 43:2 NIV
His desire is to draw all men to himself.
“And I, if I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all men to Myself.” John 12:32
We should be full of his joy when we encounter difficulties.
“Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds…” James 1:2
It is in our joy- despite our brokenness-that God’s faithfulness is more clearly seen by the world.
Have you found that through your brokenness, you have a deeper experience of God? That through your brokenness, you have touched lives for God’s kingdom you might not otherwise have touched?
