Then Nebuchadnezzar spake, and said, Blessed be the God of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, who hath sent His angel, and delivered His servants that trusted in Him, and have changed the king’s word, and yielded their bodies, that they might not serve nor worship any god, except their own God.” Daniel 3:27-28 (KJV)
There are people who live an outcome-based Christian experience. Their decisions are made based on the positive or negative outcome, not on absolute obedience to God.
Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego were three men who lived in obedience to God based life. When King Nebuchadnezzar passed a law that said all were to worship his idol, these young men determined they would not worship anything other than God. You can be sure these men did not make this decision at the time of the decree. Their decision actually had been made years earlier. Their convictions were already in their hearts.
Each of us must come to a place of knowing what our boundaries are in any given situation. What will you tolerate from your family, friends, pastor, neighbors and employer? What situation crosses the line for you? Where are the boundaries for questionable practices in your life? If these are not worked out ahead, you will live a life of situational ethics, determining what decision to make based on the merits of the situation.
Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego were willing to die for what they believed. In this case, they were delivered from the fiery furnace. God used their faithfulness to impact a king and they were promoted to higher positions.
Do you seek to only obey God in all things? Or are there situations that can move you based on the outcome? God wants to know that we will stand firm on the issues that are important to Him, no matter what the outcome may be. God is looking for those who are radical and faithful in their obedience. Pray for this kind of conviction in your life. God had the power to part the Red Sea; He had the power to save the three Hebrew boys and He has the power to help you when you are uncertain through the difficult decisions and circumstances of life; ask Him for the courage and faith to step out and follow Him. Just give Him all the honor and glory that is due Him.
The Word of God has been proven. He spoke to Joseph as a young boy through a dream and vision regarding his future. Joseph could not understand its complete meaning at the time, but he knew it had great significance. Joseph knew God had a destiny for his life. However, the proving out of that word from God was filled with 13 years of waiting, rejection, pain, sorrow and no doubt, questioning God’s faithfulness.
Joseph’s life was all but a life of influence and impact as a prisoner and slave. No doubt he wondered whether that dream was simply some vain imagination. David must have felt the same when he was anointed king over Israel as a young man only to spend years of fleeing from King Saul. God’s preparation for greatness in His Kingdom is often filled with difficulty. God is more concerned about developing the inner life of his servant. That inner life can only be prepared by removing all self-confidence and replacing it with God-confidence. God-confidence is only developed in the furnace of life.
Perhaps the Lord is using circumstances and events to move you into a place of patiently waiting as He puts you in the place He desires for you; to prove His word in your life, as you live a life based on obedience to Him. This is the place where the foundations of your soul mature. Let God prove your faith.
