Even If Not Faith.

I love the story in Daniel chapter 3, of the 3 Hebrew boys exiled from their homeland, who wouldn’t back down when they were told to bow before a golden image. They saw bowing as an act of worship, and they were only going to worship one person – Almighty God himself!

AS you would expect, their disobedience wasn’t taken lightly. After the offer of a second chance to bow before the statue, during which they held to their firm stance, they were faced with the prospect of being thrown into a fiery furnace. Furious King Nebuchadnezzar was sure he had them now, but their faith proved stronger than their fear. I’m sure they were far from thrilled as they looked into the flames that were about to engulf them, yet they said:
“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.)

I have often pondered those words – especially the last part. Those 3 young men had every confidence in a miracle-working God, for surely they knew only a miracle would save them now. Yet, their faith was not dependent upon a miracle.

Many of us have faced our own personal fiery furnaces. Perhaps they come in the form of illness, either for ourselves or someone we love. The doctors bombard us with bad news to the point at which all hope seems to be lost, and we cry out to God, knowing that without his intervention, goodbyes will have to be said far too soon.

Does the miracle always come? It came for the 3 Hebrew youngsters, when Jesus himself walked with them through the fire and ensured they weren’t harmed by the flames. It still comes in many cases where we hear of healings which cannot be explained but for the power of God answering prayer. However, sometimes the person is not healed. Sometimes, the relationship is not restored. Sometimes, there is loss, pain, and deep turmoil.

What can we say then about God? Has he become deafened to our cries for help? Does he have favourites – those who he chooses to heal, but others he chooses to cast aside? Absolutely not!

Remember the words of our 3 Hebrews. They knew God was able to deliver them, and they believed he would, but even if he didn’t, they weren’t going to back down, or give up on their faith. They went into that fire knowing there was a chance they wouldn’t come out of it alive. Yet, they had the assurance of God’s love and faithfulness.

The truth is, Jesus will always walk with us through the fire of pain and suffering, but from time to time, deliverance comes in ways we do not understand. Sometimes, he walks alongside the suffering soul all the way along the path from earth to eternity, and leads them into a place where pain and sorrow no longer exist. Is he still a good and loving God when that happens? Absolutely!

When we pray over a situation, it is always good to do so knowing we serve a miracle-working Saviour. WE can and should expect great things from God, but we should pray with the attitude that he knows best, and that even if things don’t work out as we would like, he will ultimately do what is right in the situation into which we are praying.

I have heard of people who have given up on their faith after what they perceive as an unanswered prayer. They cannot come to terms with a God who would allow suffering. However, God never promised a life free of pain. Rather, he promised to walk alongside us through the pain. Isaiah 43: 2 says:
“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.”
Note the use of the word ‘When’ in the passage above, rather than the word ‘If’. We will face hardship, but it is much better to face it with the Lord than without him.

Let Jesus be there with you, holding your hand as you pass through trying times. Allow him to carry the burden of pain, rather than bearing it all on your own shoulders. Allow him to comfort you when you grieve, and strengthen you when fear keeps you awake long into the night.

Jesus alone knows the end from the beginning. Only he can say for sure how your trial will end, but he will be with you before, during and after it. He will not change, and you can absolutely, 100 percent, depend on him.