Meditations

”Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego answered, ‘Our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the fiery burning furnace, and He will deliver us out of your hand, O king. But even if not, be it known to you, O king, that we will not serve your gods.’ ” (Daniel 3:16-18) “Have you not known? Have you not heard? The Lord is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth… He gives power to the faint. .. Even youths shall faint and be weary… but they who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength.” (Isa 40:28-31)

The key to your peace and joy is not found in your earthly circumstances, but in His presence. The three friends of Daniel were not concerned about the fiery furnace – even if God did nothing to prevent their death, it was well with their souls to know that He was present with them, and so they challenged the king to do his worst. And what did God allow the king to see? “But I see four men unbound, walking around in the midst of the fire, and they are not hurt; and the appearance of the fourth is like a son of the gods.” (Daniel 3:25) There are stories like this in the Bible that turn people away because it seems impossible to believe that such a thing could happen – they are not unlike those whom Isaiah was questioning almost 3,000 years ago: “Have you not heard?” The only thing we might struggle to grasp is why He loves each of us so very much.

Paul apparently was not known for his patience. Something was slowing him down and he needed God’s help with it. So, he prayed about it once. No answer. Then he prayed about it again. Silence. Finally, Paul prayed a third time and God responded: “My grace is sufficient for you.” Indeed, that was enough to know. But God wasn’t finished: “For My power is made perfect in your weakness.” (2 Cor 12:9) As if Paul needed even more clarification, there would come a day when God’s answer would be to “weaken” him to the point of sitting him down in a jail cell in chains, with only a pen and some paper. And now, at last, God’s “perfect power” was preserved in writing as Paul finished his letters. 13 of the 27 books in the New Testament came from God through Paul’s pen. We all have received far more information than we ever might have known if Paul hadn’t had to slow down and wait on the Lord. Have you not heard? (Matt 28:20b and Psalm 91:1-4)

Learn to be STILL

David