A couple weeks ago I preached on the story of Daniel. He is by far one of my favorite people, and books, of the Old Testament for so many reasons! He has an incredible resolve to honor God and God’s commands, he is bold and consistent in his prayer life, and his closeness with God are just a few. One of the stories in Daniel I did not get to though is the story of Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah; also known as Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-nego.
This is a fairly well known story. The king makes a gold statue (likely as a statement to God that his kingdom will not be overtaken) and demands that everyone falls down and worships this statue. Of course Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-nego do not bow to worship the idol. The king calls them in and gives them one last chance to bow and worship the statue or else be thrown into the furnace. I love their response here!! They said, “If it be so, our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the furnace of blazing fire; and He will deliver us out of your hand, O king. BUT, EVEN IF HE DOES NOT, let it be known to you O king, that we are not going to serve your gods or worship the golden image that you have set up.” They know that God, Yahweh, is more than able to save them from the king and the furnace. But even if he does not, they will not worship any God but the one true God! They, like Daniel, have a resolve to honor God at all costs.
The king has the furnace heated seven times hotter than normal and commands that the tree are thrown into the furnace. This happened so quickly and the fire was so hot that the men who took the three men to the furnace were killed by the heat. But Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-nego were walking around in the fire! And a fourth person appeared, one who, according to the king, looked like a son of the gods! There are a lot of theories about who the fourth man is who joins Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-nego in the fire, but let’s not get distracted from what is happening. These three men are walking around in a furnace! A furnace so hot it’s already killed men who have gotten to close to the door!
I love their boldness in their faith. They have full confidence that Yahweh is more than able to save them from the fire. But even if He does not, they will still honor Yahweh till their death. Notice that God does not save them from the fire, He saves them in the fire. I believe this is a huge difference for our American Christianity. I would guess most of us believe either consciously or not, if I am a Christian God is going to protect me from bad things.
The difficulty is though, how can we see God at work when life is great? God cannot heal me from cancer if I do not have cancer. He cannot heal my broken heart, unless my heart is broken. He cannot lift me up on wings of eagles until I’m crawling through the valley.
In the New Testament, Paul pleads with God to take away the thorn in his side. We have no clue what it is, but something that was a struggle or painful for Paul; physical or spiritual turmoil. After pleading with God, he says, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Paul replies saying, “Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me.”
It is not Paul’s strength, accomplishments, or greatness that he boasts but he weaknesses. It is in his weaknesses that Christ power is seen. Therefore, let us plead with God, not to shield us and keep evil far way, but to show up and show us his power and deliver us from it. To be able to stand firm through whatever evils come our way so we can see his power, his greatness and show up and do something awesome!!
Just a little extra thought for parents (or anyone praying for students)…
Parents, I say this understanding I am not a parent and have no clue what it is like beyond having been a youth minister and seeing these kids as my own. I am assuming you pray for your kids. What do you pray for? Do you pray Satan stays far away? Evil doesn’t come near them? Or… They become spiritually strong warriors? That they become strong believers who are bold in their faith and bring many to Christ? I say or, because both those cannot happen. Satan will attack them if they are strong faithful Christians; but he will leave them alone if they are not. Which is more important? What are you praying for?