I Smell Smoke...

Today’s passage touches my heart like none has before.  I wish we were sitting down having coffee so I could share this entire story with you.  I will do my best to pretend. 

It was almost 5 years ago when my husband, a pastor in a mainline church, was confronted with a dilemma. You see, he was being tested. God was giving him almost daily opportunities to serve him, or make the people happy.  It just so happened, the “people” were church folk and powerful ones at that.

Continually as the tension of our situation grew, Steve would ask me, “What should I do?”  I would simply state, “Do the next right thing.”  Steve would remind me that the next right thing could cost him his job as pastor of this church we have come to love.  I would simply smile and say, “Do the next right thing.”

It didn’t take long for those powerful church people to put Steve’s “feet to the coals”, if you will, and he did the next right thing.  He stood up for the gospel of Christ and proudly stated that he would not waiver. My husband was fired that day.

That evening we were doing our nightly devotion with Evan, our 6 year-old-son, and I kid you not, the very next devotion in his Bible, was the story of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego walking in the fiery furnace.  Our son, who passively listened to the stories every other night started to cry.  Steve and I gently asked him what was wrong. 

Evan replied, “But I don’t want to walk through fire.”  Evan had NO idea what had just happened and how Steve and I were feeling as if we were now having to walk through the fire.

We smiled at Evan and calmly said, “Don’t you see, Jesus rescued them.  God isn’t asking you to walk though actual fire for him, but life won’t always be easy and we may wonder where God is.  This story helps us to remember, God is with us and as life gets hard; we can trust that He will be right there.”

Our words were enough to calm Evan's anxious hear that evening.  We’ve needed to reassure him over the years, as the flames seemed to be licking our heals.  But, our testimony has been constant, "God is here and He can be trusted."  

Looking back, I have never been so afraid and so proud all at once.  My world was caving in and I was now waiting for God to rescue us from the fire. And I am excited to say, HE HAS! 

It has been a hot fire.  The fire seared us on every side, but I can honestly say that the only thing the fire burnt were my bindings.  Praise Jesus!  What I thought might kill us, God used to destroy the things that tied us down.

You can trust him like that too.  If you are confronted with some life-altering choices, can I give you some advice?  Just do the next right thing.  Then, trust God to be there no matter the cost.

Read today's passage here Daniel 3:26-29

or

Read the whole story here Daniel 3 

The Story - Chapter 18 - Daniel 3

Today we find Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego in a real tight spot.  Nebuchadnezzar is furious with them for not bowing down and worshiping the golden idol image he had created.  Actually, the trio was set up.  There were some astrologers who were eager to rid their world of these Jews, so they approached the King and pointed out Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego's disobedience to the decree.

These young men were faithful followers of The One True God and were very familiar with the Scriptures and the words in Exodus 20:3, "You shall have no other gods before me." 

There could come a time in our life when we might be required to make a decision like these three had to make.  When reading the text, it would seem they didn't hesitate, but I wonder if they didn't pause, maybe even pray and ask for a way out. But any way you look at it, they made the only decision they could make, as people who loved and served God.  Had more of the nation been like these young men, they would most likely still be living on their own land.

Daniel 3:16-18 (NIV)
"Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego replied to the king, "O 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 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."  

This was the response they gave the king when he asked what god will be able to rescue you from my hand?  What faith!  Oh, to have the faith of these young men.  I pray I will never be tested as they were, but should that day come, I want to walk into the furnace without fear.

Read Daniel 3 here

Listen to Daniel 3 here