In today's world it seems like hope has become an unrealistic ideal. Nowadays when someone is questioned in the midst of a difficult situation and asked if a resolution can be found, the answer is often "I hope so." The response appears to lack optimism or belief that there will be an end to a particular challenge. For example, the ongoing covid pandemic has left many people physically, emotionally, and spiritually depleted and feeling like the pandemic will never end. There are many voices calling us to follow this person or that program to find the answers to our problems. Even the recent journeys into space by Jeff Besos and Richard Branson appear to suggest that space flight is "the final frontier" as the old Star Trek television series declared. The thinking is that if technology is able to get to the point of rocketing people to other planets, there is hope for the human race.
INTO THE FLAMES
In the book of Daniel chapter 3, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego were Jewish men who were set to watch over the affairs of the province of Babylon. The King at the time whose name was Nebuchadnezzar, set up an image made of gold on the plain of Dura in the province of Babylon. He then decreed that everyone should bow down and worship the image. The penalty for non-compliance was death in the form of being thrown into a blazing furnace. Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego soon found themselves in a difficult situation as they refused to follow the King's decree and remain faithful to the one true God. The King summoned the three men giving them one last chance to comply. However, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego stood firm declaring to the King, "King Nebuchadnezzar, we do not need to defend ourselves before you in this matter. If we are thrown into the blazing furnace, the God we serve is able to deliver us from it, and He will deliver us from your Majesty's hand. But even if He does not, we want you to know, your Majesty, that we will not serve your gods or worship the image of gold you have set up." (Daniel 3:16-18 NIV) Notice the firmness of their response in the midst of a situation in which their backs were against the wall. There was not a sense of "I hope we get out of this dilemma" or an attempt to try and negotiate with the King. The fact of the matter was even though Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego may perish, there was only one King they served and to whom they would bow down. King Nebuchadnezzar's fury at their response was matched only by the heat of the furnace which he ordered to be heated seven times hotter than usual. The flames were so intense that the soldiers who were ordered to throw Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego into the furnace were killed by the intense heat and flames. However, to the King's amazement a fourth person whom the King described as "looking like a son of the gods" was walking around in the fire. (v.25) Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego were ordered to come out of the furnace and they exited unharmed. King Nebuchadnezzar then issued a new decree that any people or nation who spoke anything negatively against the one true God of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego would be cut into pieces and their houses be turned into piles of rubble for he declared, "no other god can save in this way." (v.29) The King then promoted Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego in the province of Babylon.
HOPE IS ALIVE
The challenge for us is how do we react when faced with impossible odds? When a season of life seems like it will never end, where do we turn? When we are figuratively speaking "facing the fire", where is our source of hope? There is "another man in the "fires of life." His name is Jesus. He stands with us when others are against us. He supports and upholds us when the bottom drops out from under us. And even when we are staring death in the face as did Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, there is another who walks with us through the "valley of the shadow" and delivers His followers safely to their eternal home. "So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand." (Isaiah 41:10 NIV) Rejoice! Hope is real and alive in Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior for no other god can save in this way!
Peace and Blessings,
Pastor Sheree
