Last fall I read through the book of Daniel. And while the whole book was an inspiring, challenging read, one chapter stood out to me.
This is where Daniel’s three friends – Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego – refuse to worship King Nebuchadnezzar’s idol. (Yes, I copied and pasted all of those names. Ha! Could they be any more difficult?!) Basically the King makes a decree that anyone who doesn’t bow before the idol he had made to look exactly like him (HOLY EGO!) would be thrown into a furnace and burned alive. Someone tells the king that Daniel’s friends won’t bow before the idol, and he gets pissed. The Bible actually says he is “furious with rage” but you get the point. He summons Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego and asks them what their problem is. Then he tells them if they don’t worship him, they’re going to be thrown in the furnace. And this is what they say 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.”
They did get thrown in the furnace, and came out completely unscathed. God delivered them just like they believed he would, but it’s that bolded phrase above that stands out in my mind… even more than the miracle.
These guys knew that God could save them if he chose to, but they also knew that even if he didn’t he’s still the only King who is worthy of worship.
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Today is brain tumor check-up day for me. Whoo hoo! I’ll be spending a lovely day at Mayo Clinic. Don’t be jealous! My prayer all along has been that God will heal me. That my doctor will be astounded. That I’ll live a long, healthy life. That I’ll get to watch my little boy grow up. That I’ll get to do life with my husband and laugh with my family. That my entire life will be one of praise and a testimony of God’s goodness and grace. Those are my hopes. My prayers to a God who is able to do more than we could ever hope or imagine.
I know that my God can move mountains. He’s done it for me before.
But even if he does not I’ll still praise him.
And he is still good.
