Daniel 3:16-18 (NLT)
Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego replied, “O Nebuchadnezzar, we do not need to defend ourselves before you. 17 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. 18 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.”
This verse recently came to mind after the words "but even if" continued to ring in my head. After enduring an ongoing life challenge, it was as if the dots suddenly became connected and It took on new meaning. Faith is mentioned and referenced all throughout the Bible. The popular and often cited verse below typically comes to mind:
Hebrews 11:1 (NLT)
Faith is the confidence that what we hope for will actually happen; it gives us assurance about things we cannot see.
There have been many times I have prayed for faith the size of a watermelon. That might seem weird, but in my mind, if faith the size of a mustard seed can move mountains, then faith the size of a watermelon could move continents! There is nothing I can think of that would be more exciting and fulfilling than moving continents for the purpose of spreading the Good News of Jesus Christ! I am "confident" and "hope" for the day that God will bless me with this opportunity. I know with certainty that nothing is impossible through Him! As I go through this "life storm", He is showing me that there is a second part of that vere -- "But even if.” (Daniel 3:18).
I know He can, but what if He doesn’t? What if He didn't save Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego? What if He doesn't provide the physical, relational, financial or any other type of healing we've been praying for? For me, there was a realization that my faith can be limited not only by a lack of confidence but also my lack of acceptance. If I have come to Him, laid my petitions before Him, and said have your way Lord, I really need to be willing to let Him have his way. I love Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego's response right after the "but even if He doesn't". "We want to make it clear to you..." "...that we will never serve your gods or worship..." (Daniel 3:18).
A god is anything I put in my life above the One and only God. That includes hardship, struggles, and life's storms. If I am giving it more attention than I am Him, I have become a servant to the problem rather than The One who is above every problem! Perhaps true faith is not only confidence in what He can do, but also being completely at peace and accepting what He chooses to do.
Lord,
We pray that we would completely fulfill Your plan and purpose for our lives. Father, give us the strength we need to overcome anything that stands in the way of fulfilling the calling You placed on our lives long before we came into existence. Lord, we pray that even in our sorrows and struggles we would forever praise Your name! In Jesus mighty name we pray! Amen.
Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego replied, “O Nebuchadnezzar, we do not need to defend ourselves before you. 17 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. 18 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.”
This verse recently came to mind after the words "but even if" continued to ring in my head. After enduring an ongoing life challenge, it was as if the dots suddenly became connected and It took on new meaning. Faith is mentioned and referenced all throughout the Bible. The popular and often cited verse below typically comes to mind:
Hebrews 11:1 (NLT)
Faith is the confidence that what we hope for will actually happen; it gives us assurance about things we cannot see.
There have been many times I have prayed for faith the size of a watermelon. That might seem weird, but in my mind, if faith the size of a mustard seed can move mountains, then faith the size of a watermelon could move continents! There is nothing I can think of that would be more exciting and fulfilling than moving continents for the purpose of spreading the Good News of Jesus Christ! I am "confident" and "hope" for the day that God will bless me with this opportunity. I know with certainty that nothing is impossible through Him! As I go through this "life storm", He is showing me that there is a second part of that vere -- "But even if.” (Daniel 3:18).
I know He can, but what if He doesn’t? What if He didn't save Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego? What if He doesn't provide the physical, relational, financial or any other type of healing we've been praying for? For me, there was a realization that my faith can be limited not only by a lack of confidence but also my lack of acceptance. If I have come to Him, laid my petitions before Him, and said have your way Lord, I really need to be willing to let Him have his way. I love Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego's response right after the "but even if He doesn't". "We want to make it clear to you..." "...that we will never serve your gods or worship..." (Daniel 3:18).
A god is anything I put in my life above the One and only God. That includes hardship, struggles, and life's storms. If I am giving it more attention than I am Him, I have become a servant to the problem rather than The One who is above every problem! Perhaps true faith is not only confidence in what He can do, but also being completely at peace and accepting what He chooses to do.
Lord,
We pray that we would completely fulfill Your plan and purpose for our lives. Father, give us the strength we need to overcome anything that stands in the way of fulfilling the calling You placed on our lives long before we came into existence. Lord, we pray that even in our sorrows and struggles we would forever praise Your name! In Jesus mighty name we pray! Amen.