In the book of Daniel we find the people overcome and taken prisoner. During this time of fear and chaos, God is still present and working. He is working to bring His people back to himself and to restore their hearts for Him. Daniel, Meshack, Shadrach, and Abendego are some of the remnants found that have not lost sight of God. They have been taken into King Nebuchadnezzar's palace where they would be taught the local customs and trained in their new ways. In their attempts to keep focus and to not be totally consumed with their imprisonment, they keep hold of their dietary requirements and ask to be excused from the kings lavish meals. This sets them up for success. Several years later the king builds a statue, a god to himself and commands that all shall bow down and worship. Daniel's three friends found themselves before the statue, but refused to bow to another god. This infuriated the king and he ordered them to be thrown into the furnace. "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. 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,” (3:17).
In a furious rage Nebuchadnezzar had the three men bound and threw into a blazing hot furnace. But, something amazing happened. When the king looked into the fire, he saw not three, but four men walking around. He called them to come out and examined the three men. The only things that were burned were their bonds. Not a hair was singed. Their clothes were not scorched, and they didn't even smell of smoke. (Daniel 1-4, what I have written does not encompass the whole of the story. Please read it for yourself.)
When we are faced with our own fire, there are three scenarios that can be taken from this story of old. Three scenarios that I wrote down years ago while listening to Beth Moore that I would like to share. Old lessons that are still teaching me new each day...
First, many times we are delivered from the fire and our faith is built. We may see an approaching disaster coming in our life and we are completely delivered. We may have the vision to see and we can learn what we need to without having to go through the hard times. Our faith is strengthened without the furnace. I know so many people who never even came close to the life that I once had, but yet they have maintained a very strong relationship with God. Their purity has kept them strong and their devotion seems to have never wavered. They were delivered from the fire.
Second, we are delivered through the fire. This is my example. I seem to have to learn the hard way. My most recent episode with God has been my MS. Of coarse, this is not a short term event (almost 19 years). This has been a lesson that has continually bound me in my own prison. Food, I can relate with this part of the story very well. In order to be able to function, I must eat a very strict diet. I loathed this for years. Every time I would see someone enjoy a bowl of ice cream, really any desert, anything with gluten, corn, potatoes, beans.... lets just say FOOD, I would throw myself a pitty party. I am supposed to keep a very tight reign on what is allowed to enter my body. If I don't, I find myself bound in a prison. My body just wont work. My legs no longer carry me. My hands no longer feed me. I discover I am bound by unseen chains that try and destroy me.
I begged God for years to heal me. I wanted my chains removed and I wanted to be able to live as others around me. I wanted to join the culture. Well, Thanksgiving my prayers were answered in a most unusual way. I Lost My Ability to TASTE! No joke, my taste buds were affected. Now this is what I have discovered. I can taste only what I am supposed to eat, everything else has lost its flavor. For example, my family recently went on a cruise, which I loved. During this time I tested my diet restrictions based upon what tasted good. I got desserts every night, but didn't really enjoy them. One of my all time favorites has been white chocolate. I got my white chocolate mouse ready to indulge, only to discover that I could taste nothing but the berries that were placed on top and that lined the bottom. My diet has not changed, but my hearts desire has.
Third, we may be delivered by the fire into His arms. I am not one that sugar coats anything. Sometimes, we are taken from this life into His arms through death. He is the author of life and He can choose to deliver us into His arms into an everlasting life, that through His resurrected life we are guaranteed to never see trials again. Often, it is not for the deceased to learn something, but for those left behind. Now is the time to ask, what are we to learn from this? Are we enjoying the life He has blessed us with? Are we living each day to the fullness of life offered? Or are we harboring a bitterness that has soured our enjoyment of life offered to us, all because we are unwilling to understand that each person here is a direct representation for us of the gifts we do have?
I am in great admiration of those who live their life gallantly for their Lord. We all know them, the ones who stand out during great fires, but seem to never loose their faith. Those that encourage us to live this life to the full, they are my hero's. Can you see your blessings through the fire? After you have been through the fire, do you understand that you are not singed and that you do not even smell of smoke? Who are your hero's? Are you a hero for others?
Are you Listening to God?
Are you being delivered from the fire, through the fire, or by the fire?
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