Just Trust.

Nebuchadnezzar responded and said, “Blessed be the God of Shadrach, Meshach and Abed-nego, who has sent His angel and delivered His servants who put their trust in Him, violating the king’s command, and yielded up their bodies so as not to serve or worship any god except their own God. (Daniel 3:28, NASB)

During Sunday's sermon, Pastor Shane shared a brief illustration of trust. He asked a child to face away from him and lean backwards into a fall, promising that he would catch the child.

Did the child trust Pastor Shane? Eventually, yes. But initially, the child looked back at Pastor Shane several times, evoking laughter from the congregation.

Can I really trust you to catch my fall?

In Daniel chapter 3 we read the famed story of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego being thrown into a fiery furnace. The three young men offered an astounding testimony to King Nebuchadnezzar just prior to their being thrown into the flames: Our God can save us-- but we will take our trust in Him a step further. We will remain loyal to Him. Even if He doesn't save us, we will not bow to the idol you set up.

What about us? How sure is our loyalty to God? Will we still love Him if He doesn't rescue us?

I wish we could all avoid crises. But as we go through our challenges, people around us have the opportunity to see real faith in action: the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen (see Hebrews 11:1). We trust God even as modern-day King Nebuchadnezzars rant and rail over our refusal to bow to the "ism"s of the postmodern age. We trust God as the flames are increased, destroying even the lives of those sent to toss us into the furnace. And we trust God as we walk in the midst of the fire. Why? Because we are accompanied by the Chief Fire-Walker, the One with burnished feet (see Revelation 1:10-18) who keeps us alive and well in the raging flames.

At the end of the day, God gets the glory. What did King Nebuchadnezzar say? "Wow, those guys are cool..."? No. He said, and the canon records, "Blessed be the God of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego."

Lord, that is what we want! Take us through fires, floods, challenges, and crises. We are not afraid to walk through the fire, because we have full assurance that Your Spirit will not leave us. Spirit of Christ, thank You for sustaining us in the midst of ranting kings and raging flames. You prevail. You receive glory and honor. We promise that we will never abandon our faith and trust in You.