In the fire

I've got a list of questions that will find their answers only in Heaven! You, too? We all do. One of those questions is - why does God deliver some from the fiery tests and trials while others must walk through those fiery trials?

Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego were faithful to God, along with their friend, Daniel. They refused the Babylonian king's demand that they worship his gods and were condemned to the fiery furnace for execution. Where was Daniel? The text is silent! Surely given his integrity he did not worship Nebuchaddnezzar's gods. We are left to wonder since the Bible gives no clue. But we do get the scoop on the other three faithful men. When they first refused to go along, they were hauled before the king who tried to convince them to submit to him with a second chance offering. That, in itself, is amazing. Kings like ole' Neb didn't give second chances! Their reply to his offer is a ringing statement of faith. They said, "If we are thrown into the blazing furnace, the God we serve is able to save us from it, and he will rescue us from your hand, O king. But even if he does not, we want you to know, O king, that we will not serve your gods or worship the image of gold you have set up." (Daniel 3:17-18, NIV)

Their answer so enraged the king that he ordered his furnace heated up and in they went! It's a great story to read, but I am fairly certain it wasn't nearly so inspiring to be a participant! Those three men did not know if God would deliver them from the fire, or if He would allow them to perish in the fire, or if they would walk through the fire. What did they know? That God would be with them. It became an amazing moment when God demonstrated His greatness to a pagan society and a proud king. "All the important people, the government leaders and king’s counselors, gathered around to examine them and discovered that the fire hadn’t so much as touched the three men—not a hair singed, not a scorch mark on their clothes, not even the smell of fire on them! Nebuchadnezzar said, “Blessed be the God of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego! He sent his angel and rescued his servants who trusted in him! They ignored the king’s orders and laid their bodies on the line rather than serve or worship any god but their own." (Daniel 3:27-28, The Message)

Note that line - "they laid their bodies on the line!" Those faithful men were totally focused on honoring God, regardless of the cost of their decision. If God would be honored by their deliverance - Hallelujah! If God would be honored by their death - Hallelujah! Oh, that we would trust Him in that way, placing ourselves at His command, without demanding this or that or the other. God give us the depth of faith to say, without qualification or quibbling - "I'm Yours, Lord. Use me for your purposes. Gain the glory, all the glory."

Jesus' disciples wanted to draw a broad, bold line that connected 'cause and effect' in their lives. They wanted the assurance that if they did all the right things, then they would always have an easy road. They wanted 'bad' people to suffer and 'good' people to be blessed. One day when they encountered a blind man, they asked, "Who sinned, him or his parents, that he suffers in this way?" Jesus answer is a challenge to their simplistic ideas about God's ways. "“It was not because of his sins or his parents’ sins,” Jesus answered. “He was born blind so the power of God could be seen in him." (John 9:3, NLT) Fair? In human understanding, maybe not. But God asks that we let Him be God!

Are you looking at a fiery trial?
Don't fear - trust instead. And, dear Believer, ask Him to give you grace to cooperate with His plans, even if the road is through the fire, if that is what will ultimately bring Him the glory and praise.
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Sometimes on the mount where the sun shines so bright,
God leads His dear children along;
Sometimes in the valley, in darkest of night,
God leads His dear children along.

Though sorrows befall us and Satan oppose,
God leads His dear children along;
Through grace we can conquer, defeat all our foes,
God leads His dear children along.

Some thro' the waters, Some thro' the flood,
Some thro' the fire, but all thro' Christ's blood;
Some thro' great sorrow, but God gives a song,
In the night season, and all the day long.

God Leads Us Along
Young, G.A.- Copyright: Public Domain