Cool in the Furnace Daniel 3:1-30
By Darlene Lucas
Does your standards and manner of living make you feel different from others? That was the question I was asking myself yesterday as I listened to Pastor Alan’s sermon, “Cool in the Furnace” the story of Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego. These young boys knew their answer would anger the King and yet they stood firm in their beliefs.
The message for me was “Who am I in the face of real adversity”? Am I or could I be like these three bold young men with backbones of steel. There have been times in various aspects of my life I have said NO to people and knew that my decisions had angered others, I try hard to stand strong in who I am in Christ. And yet I wonder when faced with real-life adversity could I without a doubt just say NO to something that I felt made me feel like I was not living for God.
Sometimes in today’s world it can be hard to stand strong with Jesus, especially when you are among non-Christians. Pastor Alan gave emphasis to the power of NO by sharing a personal story explaining that saying NO has a strong sense of one’s identity and a very freeing experience. As Christians it is so important for us to prepare for trials we may face in the future by standing firm in our identity in Christ. It is our Christian beliefs and values that shield us from the many temptations and evils in the world.
My favorite part of the story is after the three young men had been thrown into the fire, when King Nebuchadnezzar went into look he saw four. We know that our God is always near, and even though he may put us in the fire he will not forsake us or leave us.
Pastor Alan’s sermon was so fitting, as we proudly experienced and watched with joy our young people leading worship, reading scripture and praising God. To see our young people strong in their faith and confident in their walk with Jesus was quite an emotional experience. As a church family we are truly grateful for the guidance of our youth leaders who give so selflessly, mentor and stand strong in their walk with Jesus with the youth.
This story to me is a wonderful reminder that we serve an awesome and all powerful God who is with us in the fire and will bring us through the furnace for His glory. Can you remember a time you were going through the fire? How did you stand strong in your faith, how did you pass through the furnace?
Listen to this sermon here!
3 Comments
Darlene thank you for writing your reflection on the power of saying 'no'. Thank you also Mary Ann for your powerful personal story regarding the tragic death of your sister and brother-in-law. We do give praise to Abba for walking with us during the storms of life.
Mary Ann, thank-you for sharing such an intimate story a true testimony that God is always there. You are truly a inspiration to many.
Darlene, thank you for your thought-provoking reflection and the reminder of the power of No. Over the years there have been a number of fiery furnances, but, perhaps the double- death of my sister and brother-in-law in 2006 is most prominent. I had to say a very firm no, so that I would not lean on my own understanding. ( Proverbs 3:4-5)
I was on -call for the hospital and was paged by my nephew who relayed the devastating news that Bonnie and Romeo had been murdered. Immediately, after the shock of these initial words, I called out to God as He is my comforter. An overwhelming feeling accompanied me as I felt that I was "encapsulated in God's bubble of love and peace." I just could not describe this peace that I felt. Afterwards, I calmly drove to the hospital were I worked to tell my colleague that I needed time off work and wrote an e-mail to tell the staff that I would be away for a week- without mentioning why.
This was a trial of faith for our entire family and as we all travelled to Sturgeon Falls, and to the scene of the crime, we discovered that the person was" still at large." There were police cars and yellow tape in the surrounding area. We later heard that this person was apprehended by the police.
God's presence continued to move through a concerted effort by the entire community of people in Sturgeon Falls who knew and loved my sister and brother-in-law. They welcome us, provided meals for the entire week so that our family and extended family could stay together. They arranged support workers to
assist us if we needed to talk. God's grace and compassion flooded our souls and helped us to come to terms with our loss.
God helped our family to choose the native caskets, helped me to say Psalm 23 and to get through the double funeral on Good Friday as well.