Daniel 3: 24-27
Like a whirlwind arriving upon her, Jennifer went through enough grief for one life. In short order, she lost her husband and two sons to either accidents or illness. How could one person go through so much and endure so much?
In the midst of this tragedy, Jennifer went through a process of becoming a pastor. She has ministered to others in grief. She could relate to them because of what she went through.
God didn't rescue Jennifer from the ordeals of life. He carried her through the ordeals of life.
Similarly, when we read of God's deliverance of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego from King Nebuchadnezzar after they refused to worship his image of gold, we realize God saved them through the fiery furnace. Their rescue is described in Daniel 3: 24-27.
Then King Nebuchadnezzar leaped to his feet in amazement and asked his advisers, "Weren’t there three men that we tied up and threw into the fire?” They replied, “Certainly, Your Majesty.” He said, “Look! I see four men walking around in the fire, unbound and unharmed, and the fourth looks like a son of the gods.” Nebuchadnezzar then approached the opening of the blazing furnace and shouted, “Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego, servants of the Most High God, come out! Come here!” So Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego came out of the fire, and the satraps, prefects, governors and royal advisers crowded around them. They saw that the fire had not harmed their bodies, nor was a hair of their heads singed; their robes were not scorched, and there was no smell of fire on them.
Who was the fourth person in the blazing fire with the three followers of God? The most common answer from scholars is that it was Jesus, the Son of God. If Jesus rescued them from the furnace. that would have meant that the men never entered the furnace. Instead, he rescued them through the furnace, meaning they still had to endure a trial, but Jesus was with them.
So it goes with Jennifer and us and life. We must endure trials, but Jesus is with us to deliver us through them to the other side. All we need is the confident faith of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, who knew God's powerful capability but were willing to be faithful even if God did not rescue them (Daniel 3: 17-18).
Do you like to listen to podcasts? My upcoming November podcast will make a total of 30 podcasts in my library. Besides a few one-of podcasts, there are three seasons to experience. The current season is the Top 11 Themes of Jesus. Prior seasons are the Fruits of the Spirit and the Himalayas of the New Testament, the highest thoughts of the second testament. You can find all of my podcasts by starting at CecilTaylorMinistries.com/free-content, or search on Apple, Spotify, and Podbean for "Cecil Taylor Monthly Podcasts," or visit the Cecil Taylor Ministries YouTube channel.