Some Events Only Leave Us Asking, "Why?" Which Is ...

Some events only leave us asking, “Why?” which is exactly what I figure happened with three of the Lord’s most faithful followers during the days of Daniel. You remember them as Shadrach, Meshach and Abedneggo; three fellows who were to be thrown into Nebuchadnezzar’s fiery furnace because they wouldn’t bow down and worship his god. To the faithful with them in the land of Babylon this must have come as a total shock. I just imagine what was said. “Sure, Nebuchadnezzar was a ruthless ruler. Sure, he had done some horribly brutal things before. But these are God’s servants. Why would God allow something so horrible, so cruel, so devastating to happen to these faithful men?” It’s not hard for us to imagine these three thinking this way themselves. Afterall, what do we do? Something bad happens and we sit around moping, groaning, complaining. But now listen to what they did say: "O Nebuchadnezzar, we do not need to defend ourselves before you in this matter. 17 If we are thrown into the blazing furnace, the God we serve is able to save us from it, and he will rescue us from your hand, O king. 18 But even if he does not, we want you to know, O king, that we will not serve your gods or worship the image of gold you have set up" (Daniel 3:16-18). They knew something more. In fact, I can’t think of any other explanation. There was a lot they still didn’t know. They didn’t know exactly how this would turn out. They knew God could save them. They were confident that in the end He would save them. But they couldn’t be sure. Nonetheless they wouldn’t bow down. They wouldn’t bow down because they knew something more, not everything, but enough. Most would be consumed with themselves, with their circumstances, with trying to get out of their dilemma by their own designs; but they knew a God who had already consumed himself with their matters, who was totally driven and devoted to their life, a life that was planned to last far more than their lifetime on earth. They knew the Lord was completely wrapped up in their well-being and that of their soul so that they didn’t need to be. And in that they rested. They rested in this sure hope even as we do today.