Youth Revival

We had our spring Youth Revival tonight at church. The meeting was great. God touched the service, and moved in hearts. The preacher preached out of Daniel 3 about Shadrach, Meshach, and Abedneggo and their run in with the fiery furnace. The title of his message was "Theology on Fire". Amazing.

To understand this story you must read the first part of the book of Daniel. Here's the recap. Shadrach, Meshach, and Abedneggo were Isrealite slaves in Babylon during the reign of King Nebuchadnezzar. These 3 were probably around the same age as Daniel, as in Daniel in the Lions Den. It is important to note that Shadrach, Meshach, and Abedneggo were TEENAGERS. Probably somewhere in the ages of 15-20. Can you imagine most kids you know this age doing what these 3 did.

Short version. King Nebuchadnezzar made a golden statue of himself, and decreed that all the people should bow before the people and worship the statue of himself. Shad, Mesh, and Abed(shortened so I don't have to keep typing it), refused to bow to the idol. Anyone who did not bow to the idol would be cast into the furnace(which was super hot just for the occasion). They refused to do this because they had a true knowledge of the God of Israel, I Am(my fave), El Shaddai, El Roi, Jehovah, the Lion of the Tribe of Judah, Yahweh, Christ, and Lord. The list could go on and on. Because of their knowledge of the Lord, they believed that He would either deliver them, or not based on what God chose to do. Deliverance was great. NO deliverance meant they were going straight to Heaven, equally (if not better) great. God let them go into the furnace, and Christ walked around with them. He delivered them from the fire, and allowed them to be a witness to King Nebuchadnezzar, and ultimately to every generation that would come after them and pick up a copy of God's word.

Here's my point. Obviously Chad and I are going through a little trial right now. I don't mean to make light of our situation, so please don't take it that way. However, I feel that God has given this to us to grow us in our relationship with Him, and with each other. Just as God did for Shad, Mesh, and Abed, He can choose to deliver us from this "furnace", or He can leave us there for a while longer. It is completely up to Him. As hard or harsh as that might sound, I find comfort in His plan. I am a planner, and like a plan for EVERYTHING in my life. Knowing that God is a planner gives me the ability to release my plan and cling to His, even if I don't understand His. His plan for our lives has been in the works since before the foundation of the world. That's a super planner and I LOVE IT. Here are your take away verses for today. I hope you enjoy them as much as I do.

If it be so, our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the burning fiery furnace, and he will deliver [us] out of thine hand, O king. But if not, be it known unto thee, O king, that we will not serve thy gods, nor worship the golden image which thou hast set up.

Daniel 3:17-18