“When we choose to walk alongside God rather than rush past Him with our own agendas and routes, we will see the sights He intends for us to experience.”- H. Lyda
What if the sights God intends for us to experience are way bigger – way more demanding – than we could have imagined? What if our obedience and desire to walk alongside God leads us into places where our faith is put to the test?
“I will give you one more chance to bow down and worship the statue I have made… if you refuse, you will be thrown immediately into the blazing furnace. And then what god will be able to rescue you from my power?” (Daniel 3:15)
Make no mistake, history is full of men and women who made the choice to walk alongside God and follow His agenda which led them to places and situations that seemed to make no sense. Why would my obedience lead me to a death sentence? Why would God bring me here? Why would He allow it? Did I miss something? Was I really following His plan, or did I somehow stray without even knowing it?
Doubt creeps in. Fear begins to consume our minds. Panic threatens to take over. We may begin to wonder if God even exists. Sees. Knows. Loves.
Or our faith will rise up. We take in the unbelievable situation that we find ourselves in and we say: “I will not shift from what I know about God to what I feel right now.” “If God has allowed for this to happen, it is for a purpose.” Fear gives way to faith. Doubts disappear. Panic dissolves into peace. The situation hasn’t changed – but my awareness of God’s presence is renewed.
“If we are thrown into the blazing furnace, the God we serve is able to save us. He will rescue us from your power, Your Majesty. But even if He doesn’t, we want to make it clear to you, Your Majesty, that we will never serve your gods or worship the gold statue you have set up.” (Daniel 3:17-18)
Words of faith. Words of commitment. Words of dedication. These men were ready to be martyred before being disobedient. They believed God would save them, and knew that He was able to do so – still choosing to remain obedient, even though their lives were at stake.
“Look!” Nebuchadnezzar shouted. “I see four men, unbound and walking around in the fire unharmed! And the fourth looks like a god!” (Daniel 3: 25)
God had brought them to a place that made no sense. Their obedience had appeared to be a death sentence. And yet, God – the GOD who loved them and led them stood with them in the midst of the fire. Protecting them. Providing for them. Rewarding their faith. Because of their faith and reliance upon God, and their nearness with Him, their circumstances would not remain a disaster, but transform to a miracle.
Their faith changed their circumstances. Their faith changed the heart of the king. Their faith changed history.
“There is no other god who can rescue like this!” (Daniel 3:29)
God’s ways – His plans – don’t always make sense to us. We don’t “get” them. We can’t make sense of what we cannot see or understand. But when we choose to walk near Him, alongside Him, we can be assured that we will see the sights He intends for us to experience. We need not fear. We need not doubt. He is present. After all, there is no other god who can rescue like Him.
Blessings!