“Hot Spot”
What a story! Three young men who refused
to treat their king as a god ended up walking in a furnace (Dan.3:21-25). The
furnace was so hot that the committee in charge of incineration died from the heat
(v.22), but these three young champions hardly broke a sweat.
Many stories of heroism don’t end that
way. A missionary is captured by bandits, and in spite of many prayers he is
murdered. Dietrich Bonhoeffer defies the Nazis in the
name of God, but a few days before the war ends, he is executed. Why wasn’t God
“in the furnace” then?
The story of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-Nego could have
ended in young men knew that, for they said, “Our god whom we serve is able to
deliver us… But if not, let it be known to you, O king, that
we do not serve your gods” (Dan.3:17-18).
We may not be in a furnace, but we
many be in an uncomfortable, even desperate spot. When
we aren’t delivered out of our “hot spot,” is God still God to us? Or do we
feel cheated because He hasn’t come through as we wanted?
This story pushes us. Are we willing
to serve God even if we get no payoff? Will we say, “The God whom I serve is
able to deliver me; but if not, I refuse to serve other gods?” Let us all be
like the three young men~ let’s all be dedicated, be committed to God.
Why not start this year!? JJ
[h0me]