Bible Faith Stories

"My Faith Under Fire"

A Story of Faith

In my opinion, when it comes to faith stories, there is one that stands out above the rest. That is the story of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego. If you’re not familiar with it, allow me to paraphrase the story from the Daniel chapter 3.

King Nebuchadnezzar built a statue and ordered everyone to bow to it. Anyone refusing to bow would be thrown into a furnace. The three men refused believing that God would deliver them from the furnace. But if He chose not to deliver them, they still would never serve the King’s god.

Angry,Nebuchadnezzar ordered that they be thrown into the furnace, but only after it was turned up seven times hotter than normal. Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego were bound and thrown into the flames. The heat was so intense, that the two soldiers, who threw them in, were killed.

When the King looked into the furnace, surprisingly, he observed the three men and a fourth, which he said looked like a god, walking around freely in the burning furnace.

The King ordered his men to remove them from the furnace. Shadrach, Meschach, and Abednego walked out unscathed. Their clothes weren’t even scorched!

Not only did they unwaveringly trust in God to deliver them, they also knew that regardless of the outcome, of God was in control. And even if He did not deliver them, He was more than capable of doing so.

I could imagine the men saying, “Listen. Don’t get this thing twisted. Even if we die, it isn’t because God cannot deliver us. It’s only because He chose not to.”

For them it was never a question of God’s power, but it was always about God's will.

Regardless of what happened, good or bad, they would remain faithful even unto death. Nebuchadnezzar was so ticked off when they would not bow down, that he ordered the furnace be turned up seven time hotter.

That's just how the enemy is. He gets angry when he can’t pressure us into giving up on God. So he attacks our lives, throwing everything he can at us--sickness, stress, depression, oppression, you name it!

I remember the times during my divorce. There were so many days that I wanted to give up on God. I didn’t understand why I had to experience the pain and hurt that I was going through. Especially when unbelievers around me seemed to be prospering.

Rather than prospering,I was suffering. I was leaving my apartment and moving back home with Dad. I was broke and my credit score was 500. I was crying myself to sleep at night and taking anti-depressants during the day. I was in the furnace.

How could a God who loved me allow me to go through so much pain? I questioned Him, but I never stopped trusting God. I prayed for guidance even when I didn’t understand what was happening or why.

What I soon realized was that God wasn’t the cause of my problems, but rather He was the reason I would overcome them.God’s strength was made perfect in my weakness. He loved me. He wanted me to live through my furnace experience.

He was there all the time. Loosing the bonds. Keeping me from having a nervous breakdown. Opening doors of employment opportunity. He was walking in the furnace with me.

Sadly my marriage ended in divorce. As my spectators watched and whispered, it seemed my furnace was being turned up seven times hotter. Enemies watched as I was thrown into the flames. They witnessed my circumstances worsening. No doubt to them it seemed that the fire would consume me. But God had another plan.

By the time my divorce was finalized a year later, I was closing on a brand new house. I was completing my Masters degree. And I had a better paying job than ever.

Like Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, I refused to believe that God could not deliver me; and because of my faithfulness, I had overcome my furnace experience. Even though things didn't turn out the way I would have planned, I knew that God was still in control.

Still today, no matter how hot it gets or how long I’m in the furnace, I know God will be there with me. Consumption in the furnace is not an option.

My life has been filled with many furnace experiences; each one hotter than the last. The enemy seeks to destroy. But he will never succeed because God won’t let him. And I will continue to have successful faith stories year after year.

No matter what we are dealing with, God is well able to deliver us. Whether we’re in a furnace, or hanging on a cross about to be crucified, God’s love and grace is there. It will save us from destruction. This is the assurance that we have as born again believers.

What if you’re not born again? No problem, If you’re not a believer, you can become one right now. It only takes a minute to pray this prayer:

Whatever your furnace is, you’re going to make it out. Trust in God and know that He can deliver you.

God Bless You.

November 13, 2007

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