The book of Daniel still resonates with many Christians today. Daniel was a man constantly striving to live a Godly life in an ungodly world. In the famous story of Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego, we see three young men thrown into a fiery furnace as punishment for not worshipping the king’s statue.
When we look at our current culture and the problems we face, we need to ask ourselves how we can do the same. We all have a breaking point with God. Every one of us has experienced something that we find extremely difficult to reconcile with our belief in a loving and merciful God.
Why is there Pain and Suffering?
In this episode of Today with Jeff Vines, Pastor Jeff shares his belief that every worldview must answer the most penetrating question of humanity. Why is there pain and suffering? The biblical narrative forces us into a decision. We have to decide what kind of God we will take into the furnaces of life.
‘Is the answer that you give based on feelings?’ asks Jeff. ‘Or do you have some kind of objective point of reference? I think Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego knew this day was going to come. Everyone comes to a point in life where they have to choose between two gods. And what you do in that moment makes all the difference because it reveals who you truly are.’
What do these men do in the face of great opposition? They don’t hold a violent protest or picket the palace. Instead, they say, King, we’re not going to defend ourselves. They know that if someone forces them to worship a God in whom they don’t believe, it’s completely nonsensical. There’s no use arguing with King Nebuchadnezzar.
God Speaks for Himself
‘They say they don’t have to defend themselves,’ says Jeff. ‘But they also say they’re not going to bow down and worship false gods. No shouting, no screaming. Just a quiet and peaceable resolve to do what’s right. And they end up saying, if God wants to say something, He’ll speak for himself.’
Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego were going to use their faith and their convictions to impact Babylon. All of us will face a moment when what we stand for will come into direct conflict with the world around us. And in that moment what we choose will be a glaring reality of who we really are.
‘That’s why Jesus said in Luke 6, beware when men speak well of you,’ says Jeff. ‘Anybody who serves God faithfully is going to be ridiculed. Conflict will find you. All who live a Godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted.’
Just because God is able doesn’t mean he’s obligated. To say that God is not loving because He doesn’t do what we think He should, reduces Him to our own image. It means that we assume our wisdom is somehow greater than His.
God’s Eternal Scale
‘In any given time and given place, God has the capacity to place things on an eternal scale,’ says Jeff. ‘He does this based on where history is going and what He needs to accomplish. Some things He will spare us from. But some things we have to endure because there is a purpose greater than us.’
Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego were bound and thrown into the blazing furnace. But the King saw four men walking around in the fire unbound and unharmed. Even in the raging flames, the fourth figure was walking around in an aura of power. The nature of the figure immediately showed Nebuchadnezzar that it was something not natural, but supernatural.
‘Worship is reserved for God and God alone,’ says Jeff. ‘But this angel who keeps showing up is referred to as the angel of the Lord and talks as if He’s God. Jesus did not come into existence in the manger. He’s part of the Godhead. God the father, God the Son and God the Holy Spirit.’
‘Jesus also looked at a furnace He was about to go into, and it was the furnace of punishment you and I deserve. It’s what we do to each other that wreaks havoc on humanity.’
‘The Bible constantly tries to give us a God who does not rescue us by pulling us out, but instead goes in on our behalf.’
Listen to Pastor Jeff’s full message below, or for more resources, visit our Vision Store.
