‘Sometimes you sing because you believe, sometimes you sing UNTIL you believe. Sometimes you declare because you know, sometimes you declare until you know.’
Sometimes you mumble prayers because you are too afraid to say them out loud and risk getting ‘No’ for an answer. Sometimes the will of God is too painful to embrace and the work of God is too bizarre to comprehend. Sometimes we hold back because we are uncertain what giving in will cost us.
Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego knew this too well;
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[c] from Your Majesty’s hand. 18 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.”
We hope we never make it to the furnace. We hope that Nabuchadnezzer will somehow erase our punishment and life will return to serene normalcy. No body enjoys sitting in a furnace and God gets that. But sometimes, it’s only through your moments in the furnace that the image of Christ glows brightest for others to see.
My six favorite words lately are, ’But even if He does not…’ I know many who would say Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego were not exercising faith when they said those words. I know so many furnace encounters where those six words are the ultimate mark of faith.
It’s good to believe for a thing but it’s important to remember the one whom we believe. Am pretty sure if the Israelites would have their own way, they would prefer that God offered them another route through a certain undiscovered forest or desert out of Egypt but God knew the Red Sea was the only route out and He knew what His plan was even though His people fainted with hopelessness.
Treasure the words,’….. but even if He does not….’ because even when it seems like He is not according to your terms, He is up to so much good without a shadow of a doubt.
The problem (or is it a problem) we have is the God we serve is so very limitless! You cannot limit him to one path, one method, one product. He is spontaneous and unpredictable and sometimes we just need to lean in, cooperate and wait!
Limitless Marvel 