It’s that time of the year again. We’ve reached the season after the holidays where everyone is excited for a fresh start - new goals set, new outlooks adopted, new chapters being written. The “New Year, New Me” attitude is in full swing. If you scroll through social media, it seems just about everyone is proclaiming that this year, 2023, is going to be their best year yet. My question to that would be…. What If It’s Not?
Can You Handle When God Doesn’t Show Up in The Way You Had Hoped For?
As a kid, one of my favorite Bible stories was the story of the Hebrew boys – Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego (or Rach, Shack, and Benny for my fellow Veggie Tales fans 😊). Their story is a familiar one to most - especially those of us who grew up in the church. This story is a Sunday School staple. I heard this story so many times as a kid and the emphasis was usually on the miracle of their deliverance. As years have passed, I’m struck more by the faith they showed before the miracle ever occurred.
Their story is recorded in the book of Daniel, chapter 3. One day these three young men were faced with an ultimatum. The king whose rule they were under, King Nebuchadnezzar, gave an order that everyone was to bow down and worship the golden image he had built. And if anyone refused, they would be thrown into the furnace of fire and burned to death. The king was a short-tempered man who was known for being ruthless. So, when this order was given, everyone obeyed. Everyone did as he commanded except for….you guessed it…Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego. When the king found out about their disobedience to his command, he ordered they be brought to him immediately. He gave them the ultimatum once again - either bow or be thrown into the fire. They refused and stood firm.
They said, “17 If it be so, our God whom we serve is able to rescue us from the furnace of blazing fire; and He will rescue us from your hand, O king. 18 But even if He does not, let it be known to you, O king, that we are not going to serve your gods nor worship the golden statue that you have set up.” Daniel 3:17-18 New American Standard Bible
They didn’t budge and neither did the king. He did exactly as he said he would do. They were indeed thrown into the fire. The Bible says the fire was so hot that it consumed even the one who threw them in. However, if you read the rest of the story, you’ll find that these three boys were miraculously delivered and unharmed. A miracle indeed.
Because we know how the story ends, it’s easy for us to miss what they said and skip straight to the miracle. Look again at what they said in response to the king,
“17…our God whom we serve is able to rescue us from the furnace of blazing fire; [n]and He will rescue us from your hand, O king.…. 18 But even if He does not…”
They had faith that God could deliver and at the same time accepted the fact that He may not. They were ready and willing to face the fire even without the assurance of a miraculous outcome. That’s the type of faith we should all strive for. I’ll admit, I’m not always there, but I want a faith that can say “even if God doesn’t show up”, I’m still sticking with Him. Even when the results don’t go in my favor, I’ll still trust Him. Even if 2023 ends up being the worst year of my life, my faith will remain strong.
Resolve > Resolutions
So, as we go into this new year, keep this in mind. There’s nothing wrong with resolutions. Makes plans. Set goals. Dream big. However, don’t put your hope in the year going exactly as you planned. When resolutions fail, do you have the resolve to stand firm in your faith? Maybe this year will be your best year yet, but there’s a chance it could be one of your worst. We truly don’t know. Only God does.
However, it’s through the fires of life that our faith is strengthened, so don't be discouraged. It’s through the fires of life when God wants us to lean into Him. James 1:2 says, “Consider it all joy, my brothers and sisters, when you encounter various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance.” Rest assured that the same God who brought you through 2022, will carry you through whatever 2023 may hold.
Be encouraged. Happy New Year!
Thanks for the encouragement. Striving for that type of Faith 🙌🏽