Truth Minute: We May have to stay in the Fire
Daniel 3:16-18 (ESV)
16 Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego answered and said to the king, “O Nebuchadnezzar, we have no need to answer you in this matter.
17 If this be so, our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the burning fiery furnace, and he will deliver us out of your hand, O king.
18 But if not, be it known to you, O king, that we will not serve your gods or worship the golden image that you have set up.”
The hard truth about the #coronavirus situation is that it must run its course. Slowing it down is good but it’s not a cure. Flattening the curve, social distancing and staying at home ultimately are methods to buy “time” until a vaccine is produced OR until our population builds a natural immunity against it. It will not go away just like the Flu, HIV AIDS, Cancer, Chicken Pox, Measles, Mumps, Tetanus, or several other STD’s (That’s why kids have to get their shots to build “immunity” before going to school)….this is the nature of a fallen world. But the good news is that there are treatments and preventative measures to “mitigate” many of the diseases that affect humanity. Most of the time there are recoveries, but sadly, there will be times that the only healing will be through death. Which for many, who do not know, nor believe in YHWH-God, or comprehend the existence of the after-life, is absolutely terrifying.
Now, Think of Jesus impact on sin. His death, burial and resurrection did NOT eliminate all sin. His life changing sacrifice, gave those that are saved, the POWER to restrain it “more” than those who are not. Thus, the term “Sinners saved by Grace”. Meaning, that a person who is saved/Christian does not exonerate nor protect them from every form of evil committed by ourselves or other people. It also does not promise that we will never be impacted but certain diseases, untimely deaths or natural disasters…HIS sacrifice gives the benefit of reducing the effects of sins impact in our world. AS difficult and painful as it is you need to know that suffering, death and things that are NOT in anyone’s control are a part of the human experience…and that there are some fiery trials that we MUST go through. Sure we prefer not to have to be put in the furnace in the first place…just ask the 3 Hebrew teenagers in Daniel 3:16-18. Still, they understood that just because God can (answer prayers or petitions for help) doesn’t mean he always will. We have to accept, like they did eons ago, that GOD is still GOOD even when he says NO.
The Flood still came
The Furnace was still hot
The Snake still bit Paul
The 70 years of captivity were not shortened
The loss of Job’s family, health and home still happened
The Pit and prison still awaited Joseph
And the excruciating scourge of Jesus still took place!
Still, all THINGS WORK TOGETHER FOR OUR GOOD in the end.
Be encouraged, do what you can and have faith because this “may” be the fire God does NOT deliver us out of…let’s pray that he gives us the grace to endure it!
~ Pastor A.M.
