Day 11 - Adversity Meets Unwavering Faith

Written by: Pat Hardin

 SCRIPTURE
“Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego answered and said to the king, O Nebuchadnezzar, we have no need to answer you in this matter. If this be so, our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the burning fiery furnace, and he will deliver us out of your hand, O king. But if not, be it known to you, O king, that we will not serve your gods or worship the golden image that you have set up.” (Daniel 3:16-18, ESV)

DEVOTIONAL
How you respond to adversity speaks volumes about your faith, especially the object of your faith. Many of us say our faith is in God, yet we find it difficult to stand up for our faith when we are confronted by the hostility of a co-worker or neighbor. Why must we feel defensive when someone challenges our belief system? The 3 friends of Daniel were not defensive to the king, they simply stood up for their faith in Almighty God. These guys were willing to refuse the command of the supreme authority in the land because it defied the Word of God. God clearly commanded the Jewish people to “have no other gods before me,” (Exodus 20:2; ESV) and to not make or worship any graven image or idol, crafted by man’s hands, because He is “…a jealous God.” (Exodus 20:5; ESV)

Our God desires our full attention and devotion, including when we come to Him in prayer, as we are this month. Are you devoting your time and attention to God’s desires, or are you merely reciting a list of your needs and desires? Of course we wish our family and friends would be healed from their physical ailments, but are we willing to be content with God’s answer to our prayers? Most of us want our friends, family, and neighbors to become followers of Jesus, and we want it right now! Are we able to maintain our faith even if the answer to our prayer is not when or what we expected from God? The 3 Hebrew men walked into the fiery furnace with hearts set on glorifying God, regardless of the outcome. We have seen this recently, as several of our church family have lost loved ones or received unfathomable diagnoses, yet have used their tragic, seemingly dire circumstances to praise God and glorify Him in the midst of their illness or bereavement. God’s comfort and faithfulness has been a witness to their lost family and friends, opening doors for conversations about their faith in God.

The past two years have been difficult and full of change, yet our God never changes. He is still a jealous God who loves His people, and who desires our unwavering love. The writer of Hebrews describes our perfect Savior, one part of the Holy Trinity, this way, “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday today and forever.” (Hebrews 13:8; ESV)  If we can allow that truth to permeate our heart, infiltrate our mind, and capture our souls, then we will begin to walk in the same unwavering faith exhibited by the Jewish men in the Babylonian furnace. Regardless of the circumstances, regardless of the outcome, our God reigns!! Hallelujah!!!

ACTION STEP
Commit to memory the promise of Hebrews 13:8, “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday today and forever,” and pray over this verse every day for the rest of this week and share your difficult circumstance with a fellow believer and ask them to pray with you, that your faith remain strong.

PRAYER TIME
Father God, help me to walk in the assurance of Your steadfast love. Strengthen my faith so I may walk into the furnaces of my earthly circumstances and praise You, regardless of the outcome. May I see your miraculous hand at work as I find myself in Your will. May all I do and say bring You glory, in Jesus’ Name, Amen.