Another In The Fire
The closer you get to God the more you will understand that to live is Christ and that God who began a good work will carry it to completion no matter what you face.
“He must acknowledge the son...That son is the first sign of his father’s strength. The right of the firstborn belongs to him...You must not desecrate the land the Lord your God is giving you as an inheritance.”
Deuteronomy 21:17-23
There is something special about the first born son. In ancient times, the first born was given a larger inheritance and had more authority. God said that the first son is the sign of the father's strength. How does this shape how you see Jesus? Do the words not ring prophetic as you see all that He has done?
Jesus said that if you know me you know the Father. The same can be true in our relationships. How do your friends or family reflect you? If you have children, how do they reflect you? God did not say that any other children were not also reflections, but the first born is special to God in a unique way.
“The earth is the Lord’s, and everything in it, the world, and all who live in it; for he founded it on the seas and established it on the waters. Who may ascend the mountain of the Lord? Who may stand in his holy place? The one who has clean hands and a pure heart, who does not trust in an idol or swear by a false god. They will receive blessing from the Lord and vindication from God their Savior. Such is the generation of those who seek him, who seek your face, God of Jacob. Lift up your heads, you gates; be lifted up, you ancient doors, that the King of glory may come in. Who is this King of glory? The Lord strong and mighty, the Lord mighty in battle.”
Psalms 24:1-8
There are times in our lives where we can get comfortable or take things for granted because of familiarity. When you go to church you might have a seat that you typically sit in, people you talk with, and an order of worship that you regularly follow. There is something in drawing closer to God that reveals an uncomfortable truth that the presence of God is meant to be kept holy and reverent. In a world that rightly teaches the grace that God meets you where you are, we can be confronted by the holiness of God when we enter His holy place. How reverent is your perspective when considering God's presence? Are you properly honoring God?
David asks who may stand in his holy place? Think back to when Moses was by the burning bush and God told him to remove his shoes because he was on holy ground. There is a purity to heaven and God's holy presence. One of the things we can learn is that the more we purify our own lives, the more we make room for the presence of God to indwell us. David says the pure in heart and faithful may stand before God. Our lives are the same. The more we purify, not out of obligation but in anticipation of the blessing of His presence, the more we will be filled. What could you let go of today so that you could receive more of His loving presence? Where could you dedicate more of the firstfruits of your time, talent, or treasure?
“A person may think their own ways are right, but the Lord weighs the heart. To do what is right and just is more acceptable to the Lord than sacrifice. Whoever pursues righteousness and love finds life, prosperity and honor. There is no wisdom, no insight, no plan that can succeed against the Lord.”
Proverbs 21:2-3, 5, 13, 21, 30
God alone sees your heart. Solomon says that He sees and weighs your heart. What do you think He is looking for? Is it perfection? No. He is looking for humility and fidelity. You can do the right things for the wrong reasons, but God sees your heart. He knows. He says that it is better to do what is right and just than to sacrifice. How many people in our world go through the motions of giving without loving? You give without love, but you cannot love without giving. The two are meant to be as interconnected as our head and hearts should be. Is there anywhere in your heart where you are doing something out of obligation, but do not really want to do it? God sees your heart so be honest with Him.
Solomon says it is in the pursuing, the seeking, that we find life, prosperity, and honor. He does not say that it is due to circumstances or biological advantages. He says that blessings are received from a heart that is devoted to God. He encourages people to pursue. To try. To live by faith. What is something you would try if you knew that you would succeed? What would you pray for or attempt to do if you lived as though you believed that no plan can succeed against the Lord?
“King Nebuchadnezzar made an image of gold, sixty cubits high and six cubits wide...you must fall down and worship the image of gold that King Nebuchadnezzar has set up. Whoever does not fall down and worship will immediately be thrown into a blazing furnace...Furious with rage, Nebuchadnezzar summoned Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego...“Is it true, Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego, that you do not serve my gods or worship the image of gold I have set up? Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego replied to him, “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 from Your Majesty’s hand. 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...He ordered the furnace heated seven times hotter than usual and commanded some of the strongest soldiers in his army to tie up Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego and throw them into the blazing furnace...The king’s command was so urgent and the furnace so hot that the flames of the fire killed the soldiers who took up Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego..."Weren’t there three men that we tied up and threw into the fire?”...“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...Then Nebuchadnezzar said, “Praise be to the God of Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego, who has sent his angel and rescued his servants! They trusted in him and defied the king’s command and were willing to give up their lives rather than serve or worship any god except their own God."
Daniel 3:1, 5-6, 12-14, 16-26, 28-30
How would you respond to this situation? Have you ever felt the pressure to conform to other people's expectations? Long before Jesus' disciples were predominantly martyred for sharing the good news that Jesus is the risen Messiah, Daniel and his buddies faced the fire. Of all the ways to die, getting thrown into a fire has to be one of the scariest. What can we learn from them about trusting God no matter the circumstance? What could we learn about how to approach hard times? Daniel and friends chose to stand on the promises of God and the hope of heaven.
Daniel said that God is able, but even if He doesn't save us we trust His Holy plans. We will not bow down. We will not bow to culture, career impact, or things that will hit our pocketbook. We are decided. We have counted the cost and we choose to follow God no matter what. Have you made that decision? Are you all in? It is easy to say, but hard to live out. How often do we say we follow Jesus, but then react strongly when we are offended or feel like we get the short end of the stick. Not these guys. They chose to follow God no matter the cost. Look at how free their hearts were even in the toughest time. They were not afraid. They were simply men of faith believing that God is able and faithful to them.
In one of the most remarkable stories in scripture, the king himself sees God's angel in the fire. When we hear Jesus say to us that He is with us, do we realize that He is literally with us? Do you know that angels in heaven guard your pathways and watch over you all your days? They do. We have another in the fire with us just like Daniel had with him. Their devotion led to the foreign king to becoming a disciple of the God of Israel. You never know how one decision to remain faithful to God can become the sign that someone else needs that will lead them to faith.
"To all God’s holy people in Christ Jesus...Grace and peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ...I always pray with joy...being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus. And this is my prayer: that your love may abound more and more in knowledge and depth of insight, so that you may be able to discern what is best and may be pure and blameless for the day of Christ, filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ—to the glory and praise of God... For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain. I am torn between the two: I desire to depart and be with Christ, which is better by far; but it is more necessary for you that I remain in the body. Convinced of this, I know that I will remain, and I will continue with all of you for your progress and joy in the faith...Whatever happens, conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ."
Philippians 1:1-2, 4-6, 9-11, 21, 23-27
You will face trouble in life. This is something Jesus promised. What can help you make it through the tough times? Declaring the truth of God's word over your life. God has brought you to where you are and has no plans to leave you there. He promises that He will never leave you nor forsake you. He who began a good work will carry it to completion.
God does not say He will carry it to completion if you are perfect or if follow the Christian playbook. God removed the life that measures your performance and replaced it with what Jesus has done for you. He says you are mine. God does what God does because of who God is. Think of how this truth must have resonated in the heart of Paul. Paul who was a murderer and had actively fought against God has experienced the fullness of God's grace. One of the first things that God told Paul when he chose to follow was that he will have times of suffering. Are you surprised when you have times of suffering?
Paul learned the beauty of living a life of impact not living a life of comfort. He found meaning in his life as measured by how God worked through him. He escaped the traps of culture that try to teach people to accumulate all they can for themselves. Paul's one desire was to pour out his life like an offering so that others would be filled. Just like Daniel, Paul was free in his heart, knowing where he was going when he died. He had assurance of his salvation in heaven which allowed him to live freely on earth. How does the hope of heaven help you live freely today?
Wherever you are, just know that God has more for you. He is not finished with you yet. If you are experiencing the blessing of God, God has more. If you are in the darkest valley, God has a way through the tests that He will turn into testimonies. More than anything He wants you to know that He is alive and active in your life. He wants you to be strong and courageous because you know that no matter what fire you go through, He is with you and He is for you. As Paul says, whatever you do, do with a manner worthy of good news that the God of miracles wants to do the miraculous in and through your life.