If He does not...

For many years I've wanted to delve deep into the prophetic book of Daniel, as I yearn for Daniels' resolute faith & courage, and unwavering trust in God.  I've become more conscious of the Babylonian mentality in our world today...greediness, over indulgence, our obsession with aging, beauty, position, and wealth.  Through its reading, God has given me an awareness of my own Babylonian mindset which creeps in subtly in daily life!

This last week, I've been impacted by the stanch loyalty of Daniel, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego to God in intense times of trial. Most of us have experienced  times of testing in our life, and our Godly loyalty - our ability to stand firm in faith, deeply tested our character and convictions.   

When Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego  were thrown into the fiery furnace, they had already predetermined their loyalty to Jesus.Their resolve was firm; their integrity apparent no matter what the circumstance.  Everything they were on the inside was obvious from the outside.  

"If we are thrown into the blazing furnace, the God we serve is able to save us from it, and he will rescue us from your hand, O king (Nebuchadnezzar).  But even if he does not, we want you to know, O king, that we will not serve your gods or worship the image of gold you have set up."

They knew there would be one of three outcomes:  

God would deliver them from the fire, and their faith would be built.

God would deliver them through the fire, and their faith would be refined (proved genuine-1Peter 1:7)

Or...

God would deliver them by the fire into His arms, and their faith would be perfected!

They knew that any of the above three was a win/win situation! 

...the God we serve is able to save us from it (the fiery furnace), and he will rescue us from your hand, O king.  But even if he does not, we want you to know, O king, that we will not serve your gods or worship the image of gold you have set up.

I know that as we draw closer to the end times, my faith will be tested like never before, and it is my deepest desire that like Daniel, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, the last mention of my name would bring God fame!  Please Lord, may it be so!

 

Morning has broken

Mornings are my favorite time of the day!  Sitting out on our back patio this past summer has given me a keener knowledge of the wildlife all around me.  Surrounded with morning's quiet and nature's sounds, I've observed young crows learning the ins and outs of swooping down on their prey, woodpeckers with brilliant black feathers and clean white stripes hard at work pecking out beetles on the pine bark, a lone red tail fox darting into the woods with the first morning light, a doe with spotted fawns grazing in the tall grass, and squirrels and rabbits tromping through the grasses gathering food...always busy!

But this morning I was awed by the great pine trees that border the acreage behind our home -  here long before I was born (really old!). Grand and  majestic, there are several close by that have come together in pairs, as if they yearned for company! Each one forming an almost perfect half for the other, and yet together making one full, perfectly shaped whole. So much like two people coming together as one in marriage; each complimenting the other, making life full and complete!  Life is always reflected in the nature surrounding us, and this morning, God provided me with another beautiful example of harmony in his creation - in my own backyard!