Sunday, January 20, 2008

GREAT FAITH

Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego


………. This is one of my favorite stories in the word of God
I am sure that you all know the story by heart. However let me point out to you something that I taught on many years ago. As you know these three guys were Hebrews but Daniel talk to the
King and requested that these guys be put over the affairs of the province Of Babylon. Now things were going pretty good until someone told on them and told the King that they did not worship his god and they did not bow down to the golden idol. The King was angry to say the least and you know the rest of the story. However here is the part I want to get to.. When they brought these three guys into see the King and he ordered
them to bow down to the golden idol or I will throw you in the fire, but they refused , listen to what they said.

Daniel 3:17-18
….If it be so, our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the burning fiery furnace, and he will deliver us out of thine hand, O king. But if not, be it known unto thee, O king, that we will not serve thy gods, nor worship the golden image which thou hast set up.



They were not going to bow down to the idol, they were not going to worship the false god. They were going to worship their one True God and believe Him to deliver them. Even in the face of that fiery furnace they would not budge. Some people will say that the first statement is the
statement of great faith but I say to you that the second statement is the one of the greater faith. We will trust God to deliver us BUT IF HE DOES’NT we will trust Him anyway. I have had to come to the place many times in my life that I have prayed and prayed for something and finally after a season of seemly no response from God I have had to say “ Ok I will trust
you anyway.” That is a hard thing. We all want to be brave and stand and proclaim Christ in the face of adversity and we all believe that God will come to our rescue… but can we all stand in that adversity and say “My God is able to deliver me, BUT if He does not
I will trust Him anyway.
That is the greater statement of faith…….. don’t you think?

Lord give me the faith of those three Hebrew guys… and let me stand when all seems to fall around me.

13 comments:

Mary said...

Denise,

This is a very powerful lesson. Yes, we need to trust God even when He does not answer our prayers as we would like. He is all wise and He knows what is best for His children. As a parent will not let his child have everything they want, God does what is best for us.

I believe that God has allowed me to walk through the fire to strengthen me and make me stronger. I liken it to steel being forged with fire - thus we are women forged in fire.

Take care and thanks for reminding me that God knows what's best for me.

Glad you are enjoying the virtual vacation with me.

Love and blessings,
Mary

Denise said...

Amen, Lord let me stand. I love you my friend. How is Jean? Praying for her.

Joyce said...

Wow!! I had nerver concidered that before. To trust God no matter what. Thank you for the lesson. Keep warm.

Love and Hugs,
Joyce

Sharon Brumfield said...

I just want to tell you that I thank my God for you.
I came to this world of blogging hoping while "locked" away in the confines of my house that I would find other women who were chasing after God. Women who were willing to engage in spurring each other on to love and good works. Women who would want to dig deep.
Keep putting this stuff out here. It is not fluff.It does my heart good. It reminds me that I am not alone in this longing of my heart.
There are not many women in my small church who want to go further or I guess I should say did deep. Many are young Christians and I am the one who mentors them. But I need to be spurred on myself. I so need that.
So if sometimes I seem to only talk about spiritual things--that is because that is where my mind is.
This time is drawing to a close. We must be about His purpose and His work.
So again--thank you!
May God continue to draw you. May you once again hear His voice clearly. May His sweet voice thrill your heart.
May you rise once again as one of His powerful warriors. May the women of God realize their role and may we all male and female rise to fulfill the role we were meant to fill.

eph2810 said...

Oh, I so stand in agreement with you on this, Denise. Yes, sometimes we are waiting for an answer that may never come. But need to trust Him anyway. Thank you so much for sharing this.

Blessings on your up-coming week.

Sharon said...

Denise,
This is my first visit here and it amazed me to read this! We just got word today that my dad has cancer and due to go for more tests next week. I just emailed all my brothers and sister a few minutes ago before coming here and I told them that I'm praying for our dad to be healed or at least the best case scenario, but regardless of the outcome, I will continue trusting God!!!! Your post just seemed to confirm this in me!!!! I just had to tell you! :-)

Rose of Sharon said...

Amen Sister! I love the story of Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego. What faith indeed. Yes, we do need to have faith no matter what is going on in our lives. We need to keep trusting Him.

Hugs, Sharon

MelanieJoy said...

Last Sundays lesson in Children's Church was on Elijah defeating the prophets of Baal at Mt. Carmel. It just made me stop in awe again over how powerful our God is! That Elijah prayed (once) and immediatly fire from heaven fell. I long right now to walk out everyday life in this mindset of Who He is. Then we walk knowing His not just "got our back" but He's got all of us.

Karen H. said...

Good Morning Denise,
I'm just dropping by to let you know that I have Tagged you. I do hope you will participate when you have time. Take care my friend and have a great day. May God Bless You and Yours.

Love & Hugs,
Karen H.

SweetAnnee said...

Tis a glorious story. My youngest daughter was i a play once about these three FAITHFUL men.
God can do all, but if He doesn't I know He can anyways!!

My lesson is this. God can make my cancer go ..but if He doesn't ..I'm ready to be with Him!!!

love you..Deena

Brandy said...

Wow what amazing faith! I love this lesson. I think that faith is one of the most important parts of salvation. We have to trust him no matter what and we also have to accept it when he tells us no. I also believe that we have to ask for some of the things that we need, don't you agree?

Aunt Angie said...

Oh Denise...what a powerful message! Trusting anyway. I have been in that place---where nothing seems to budge...What a blessing you are for showing these truths!
Thank you for your kind coomment on my LWG post! I love the old songs from that old hymn book! They are tried and true.
God bless you new friend!

Anonymous said...

He is right there with us in every testing and every fire we ever go through and yet He also promises we won't get consumed by it. How awesome is He????!!!!!!