“Our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the burning fiery furnace (adversity), and He will deliver us from your hand, O king. But if not …” (Daniel 3:17-18).
When Daniel’s three friends—Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego—defied Nebuchadnezzar’s command to worship his golden image, they proclaimed a bold statement. “God will deliver us.” But then they followed up with a seemingly contrasting doubt whether God would indeed deliver them. “But if not …”
In studying this phrase, and in light of their lives, I find their response isn’t a lack of faith. It’s a declaration of complete trust in the one true God who is omnipotent and who sovereignly orchestrates all things for our good and His glory (Romans 8:28). Their mature, steadfast faith in God, in spite of the adverse reality before them, demonstrated a wholehearted surrender to God’s perfect will. They knew God could and would deliver them. But if He did not, they trusted His ultimate purpose. They echoed Job’s words: “Though He slay me, yet will I trust Him” (Job 13:15).
Trusted with Adversity
Have you ever thought that a comfortable, non-chaotic, settled, life is not necessarily a blessing from God? Perhaps you revel in the tranquil routine not considering for a moment that God may not yet be able to trust you with adversity.
We all long for the exhilarating spiritual mountaintops where we sense an intense presence of God and life is clear and unclouded. Yet such peaks are not where growth happens. It is in the valleys where most crops are grown, not the hilltops. Yet most of us run from adversity or pray desperately for God to remove us from our “trials by fire.”
The valleys challenge us with dark clouds of negative circumstances, threatening storms of despair and discouragement, the scary shadows of death. In these valleys we find our only refuge is God Himself, not our pleasant experiences. God promised: “When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and through the rivers, they shall not overflow you. When you walk through the fire, you shall not be burned, nor shall the flame scorch you” (Isaiah 43:2). It’s not a matter of “if” but of “when.”
Fertile Ground for Growth
Infants and children are not ready or geared for the pressures of adulthood. Yet over time, and through maturity, they grow to understand the adverse experiences that are part of life. These hardships often help to develop character. Imagine the unprepared, unqualified, and immature adult who never experienced any adversity. Now transition that thought into the spiritual life. May we grow and mature spiritually to where we consider adversity part of the refining crucible by which God transforms us into Christlikeness (Romans 8:29).
When the stormy winds blow, may we adjust our sails to ride with Him. Should despair and discouragement assail us, may we fix our eyes on Jesus (Hebrews 12:2). When the valley of the shadow of death approaches, may we rest in God’s assurance that “absent from the body” is present with Him (2 Corinthians 5:8). In all life’s storms, let’s lean more closely into Him, trusting His sovereign orchestration and depending fully on his faithfulness.
May God find us faithful enough to be trusted with adversity.
“Our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the burning fiery furnace (adversity), and He will deliver us from your hand, O king. But if not …” (Daniel 3:17-18). When Daniel’s three friends—Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego—defied Nebuchadnezzar’s command to worship his golden image, they proclaimed a bold statement. “God will deliver us.” […]
Nate’s book, Called to Christlikeness, not Christianity – Purchase here.
This is an updated edition of a post originally published on Nate Stevens.
Featured Image by Pixabay
SURRENDERED
YIELDING TO GOD’S PERFECT WILL
by NATE STEVENS
NEW RELEASE – NOW AVAILABLE!
CHRIST IN ME 30-DAY DEVOTIONAL SERIES
By NATE STEVENS
CLICK ON EACH BOOK TO LEARN MORE, DOWNLOAD A SAMPLE, OR BUY.
