HE IS ABLE

Friends,

I bet you already know the story of Shadrach, Meshach and Abendnego. The three men who were thrown into a furnace to burn alive because they would not bow to a god of gold that King Nebuchadnezzar had built. But have you ever truly dug into the story. Pieced it apart until there was nothing left of it?

Our church (Matthias' Lot) is studying in Daniel. Yesterday evening we went through Daniel 3:8-30. Pastor Marc spoke of Shadrach, Meshach and Abendnego and of their strong faith. I was truly humbled and found myself at the foot of the cross unashamed to show my brokenness to God. I asked myself, do I have a strong faith? Faith to love God through anything? Through cancer scares, deaths, stress, happiness ANYTHING?! This story gets me so amped dude.

In Daniel 3:17-18 it says, "If we are thrown into the blazing furnace, the God we serve is able to save us from it, and he will rescue us from your hand, O king. But even if he does not, we want you to know, O king, that we will not serve your gods or worship the image of gold you have set up".

Can you imagine being 20 years old and speaking to a King in such a way? Would you have the audacity to stand firm in your faith of Jesus Christ and tell them that you will not bow even if death comes of it? Our God is able friends. Meaning that He is able to save you from your struggle, whatever it may be. But He also is able to not save you. And we need to be ok with this. Our faith cannot be hindered by scary/tough circumstances. These men obey God and refuse to bow because they understand God's ability and that He is able. The fire that threatened their lives could not touch the ability of God.

Friends, Is your God able? YES! He is! When an indulgence is waved in front of our face you must stay strong. In this case it was when King Nebuchadnezzar gave them another opportunity to bow before the god of gold, but they still refused. Pastor Marc brought up a great point about temptation. He said, "The moment you become "curious" is the moment you start to fail". This meaning, have you ever been tempted to cheat on a test when someone offers you the answers? The first time you may say "O no, I don't do that" But then the second time they offer, you say, "Really? You have all the answers?" And you begin to fall to that temptation. The amazing thing is that these men did not even falter to this. This truly blows my mind and humbles me. Put yourself in their shoes, if you were being threatened to be burned alive if you did not renounce the name of God....Would you still have faith, that He is able? That if He saves you..To Him be the glory!...And if not..To Him STILL be the glory?

How many times do we fail everyday to stand for God? I know that I fail, but I want to STAND firm KNOWING that my God is able!! Will you join me?