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Take this week for example. It has been challenging. The kind of week I wasn’t even sure I could muster through. This week at my house we have been exposed to COVID-19, both of our cars have died, the school system decided that we were going back virtually, my friend’s father died, several things decided to break around our house, and all our fish died. Face palms all around.
Through this darkness, I am reminded of Daniel Chapter 3. It feels as if we are walking through the fire. and those flames are hot.
In Chapter 3, King Nebuchadnezzar had decreed that everyone must kneel down and worship a king made of gold that he had crafted. Nations and peoples of every single language were expected to kneel before this golden statue and worship. If not, they were to be thrown into a fiery furnace.
Most of us have heard what happens next, this incredible story of Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego. As followers of the one true King, the people refused to kneel before King Nebuchadnezzar’s false god.
What I find most striking in this story is what they declare before King Nebuchadnezzar just before they are thrown into the furnace.
Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego replied to him, “King 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 deliver us from it, and he will deliver us from Your Majesty’s hand. But even if he does not, we want you to know, Your Majesty, that we will not serve your gods or worship the image of gold you have set up.” (Daniel 3:16-18 NIV)
Shadrach, Meshach and Abdenego knew that God doesn’t always promise to deliver us from the flames, but He is always walking with us while we are in the fire. They trusted in God’s goodness and God’s faithfulness before they even knew what the outcome would be.
But if not…God is still good.
But if I continue to walk through the fire, and feel the heat of the flames, will I still trust that God is who He says He is? Will I still trust that God is good no matter my circumstances?
But if… the test doesn’t come back negative.
But if… the kids are home for the whole school year.
But if….someone loses a job, or a loved one.
But if…the weight of the world becomes too much.
But if…
I don’t know what you are struggling with today, but I do know this: Not only does God see us when we are hurting and broken, He loves us, and He never leaves us. I haven’t found a miracle cure for the brokenness of the world, no one has. There is no one-size-fits all prayer. In some ways, it would be so much easier if we could pray in the morning and that covered us for the day. Instead, I need to cling to God’s promises every single minute of every single day.
God is good. God is love, light and truth. He is the same today as He was in the beginning. We are never alone. We are never abandoned. We are His children, and He endures the flames just to be with us. Whatever you are longing for in this season, let God be the one to fill that void. He will turn your sadness to joy, He will make dry bones come alive.
But if….He will.
But if….He is.
But if….He will always be.
He is still good.