Are We Ready?
by Tanya Person
God keeps bringing me back to this story of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego. I am impressed with the fact that they KNEW the God they served. They knew what he was could do. They had faith that God could save them from the furnace. They also knew that He is sovereign and He might choose not to save them from the furnace, and even with that they would not choose to serve any other.
So many times people only want to serve God if things go better for them. I serve God and He takes care of me. That is true. God does take care of His children. But do we know him so well that we can trust Him if he doesn`t rescue us? Are we willing to go into the furnace and let God do what He wants to do?
Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego`s faith was not in vain. As we read on in the story we find that the ropes that bound them were burned off and when they came out of the fire they didn`t even smell of smoke. The ones who threw them in died just throwing them in the entrance! Yet they survived completely untouched by the flames.
This is the God we serve. The God who can take us through the fiery furnace and burn off the things which are binding us and bring us out with our clothing intact and not even smelling of being in the fire! And if we don`t make it out of the fire, we will be with Him in eternity!
Prayer: Lord, help me to know you so intimately that I can trust You through the hard times, whether You rescue me or not. Help me to be able to stand for You in the days of trial that may be ahead. Help me to know You are with me, no matter what. Amen.
Tanya Person Tanya and her husband, Jim, were missionaries to Hungary for over 18 years. They have worked with Ellel since 2005. After serving in various positions with Ellel in Central and Eastern Europe, God led them back to the United States, where they are now serving with the Ellel USA team. They have a passion to see leaders restored, the church discipled and walking in God’s fullness of life and freedom, and for mentoring the existing and developing team. Tanya also enjoys crocheting and knitting in her free time and has written some children’s picture books.
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