Freedom in the Fire

I was going through some old sermon notes and came across this thought that I decided to post here.  Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego were placed into the fiery furnace as punishment.  In fact, the expectation was that they would die in there.  The Bible says in Daniel 3:20-21 that they were bound before they were thrown into the fire.  Yet we read in verse 25 that they were walking around in the fire no longer bound, so it was in the fire that they were freed.  It was perhaps by the fire they were freed.  The fire did not harm them, but it likely destroyed whatever bound them.  We can trust that whatever situation we face, whatever its source - even things intentionally designed, like the fiery furnace, to destroy us - that God can not only bring us out, but He can bless us in the situation and bring us out better than we were when we went in.

Tonight I read...1 Samuel 17

As you can see or easily figure out, some days I don't read and some days I read but don't post.  Thus we've skipped several days and a few chapters and tonight I'm posting about 1 Samuel 17.  This chapter, which includes David's defeat of Goliath, is filled with many lessons.  I'm sure that, like me, you've heard countless sermons preached from this chapter.  What struck me as I read it this time is how David's humility and obedience put him in a position for God to use him.  We find David going back and forth between his father's home, where he helped care for the sheep, and Israel's army, where he took supplies to the army.  On one particular trip, David had taken the supplies his father told him to take and was seeking out his brothers when he heard Goliath's challenge.  His faithful service as a "lowly" shepherd had provided him opportunities to fight lions and bears, experiences he shared with King Saul to convey his readiness to fight Goliath.  Had he resisted his father's instructions, he would not have heard Goliath's challenge.  We like David must be faithful over every task, large or small, that God entrusts to us.  We never know but that He might be preparing us to defeat our own Goliath.

Last Night I Read...1 Samuel 11

As usual, it's been a long time since I posted here.  I recently began journaling somewhat regularly on the scriptures I'm reading and thought I'd blog those entries.  I thought about adding my previous entries here, but that would get confusing with dates and such, so I'll just start from what I'm reading today.  Well, as you can see from the subject of this post, I'm actually beginning with what I read last night.  For anyone who might read this, these are simply my thoughts on what I read.  It's in no way meant to be scholarly, authoritative, or definitive and it could certainly differ greatly from what the Lord reveals to you when you read the same passage.  Even so, I pray you find some blessing in my words.  And now, on to 1 Samuel 11.

Note: I mostly read the New Living Translation.  All links in this post (and likely future posts) are to the New Living Translation of the Bible on Bible Gateway.


What struck me in this chapter was the faith that the people of Jabesh-gilead had in Saul.  He was newly appointed king.  The Bible tells of no exploits of Saul's to this point that would give them a reason to trust him.  Yet in verse 9 we read that "There was great joy throughout the town.." when the message arrived from Saul that help was on the way.  And not only did the people rejoice, but they acted on what they had been told.  In verse 10 they issued a challenge to their enemies based on what Saul had told them.  What better demonstration of faith is there?  As James 2:18 states, "I will show you my faith by my good deeds."  What we believe is the seed and what we do is the fruit.  Do we have the same faith in God that the people of Jabesh-gilead had in Saul?  It occurred to me as I reread this paragraph that the people's faith in Saul was an extension of their faith in God because they knew God had appointed Saul to be king.  Do we trust the people and situations that God has placed in our lives or do we expect God to work in our lives only in a one-on-one way?  This brings to mind the oft-told joke about the person who drowned waiting on God to save them from the flood because they didn't recognize the boats and the helicopter as being sent by God.  We need to be open to God working in ways we might not expect.

“My thoughts are nothing like your thoughts,” says the Lord.
   “And my ways are far beyond anything you could imagine." Isaiah 55:8

Of further note is Saul's response when the people wanted to kill the "scoundrels" (see 1 Samuel 10:27) who did not think him fit to be king.  He says in verse 13, "No one will be executed today, for today the Lord has rescued Israel!"  Saul understood that their focus should be on the Lord rather than on him.  We would do well to emulate Saul, to ignore slights against us and to instead focus on the Lord.