| devotional by: Dustin Carlson |
Added: 01-28-2008 |
Ever Stays Red Devotional
“Our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the burning fiery furnace… but if not, let it be known that we do not serve your gods, nor will we worship the image which you have set up.” Daniel 3:17-18
There’s a story in Daniel that recently got me asking some tough questions about life, my walk with God, and things that perhaps I take for granted. The story is about three friends, who for most of their lives have grown up in a culture steeped in religion. They were taught very early in life about God and growing up, everything around them pointed to Him. The temple they worshiped at, the songs they sang, the clothes they wore, how they worked and rested; so many aspects of daily life reminded them of their faith in God. And then in an instant everything changed.
There is a war, their homes are invaded and the three friends are taken away as slaves. Everything once so familiar is stripped away, and, if we put our selves in their shoes we realize that these young men were faced with some very difficult questions about faith. Questions like: If my faith in God is the church where I worship, the songs that I sing, the traditions I grew up with, or all the people that believed with me, what happens to faith when all that is gone? Is it a religion I believe in, or a relationship? In the story the conquering king brings all his people together to pay tribute to him. The trumpets sound and a sea of people fall on their faces in worship of the King, leaving the three friends standing tall, and alone.
I read this and marvel at their strength. Too many times have I let the fear of standing out keep me from standing up for what I know is right. As the scripture above indicates, life without a faith in God is a life not worth living. God transcends time and space, making faith just as real in adversity as it is within the security of our traditions and churches. For them, the risk of conformity is far greater then that of the fire. So they stand, choosing to believe that faith is about a relationship with God, and therefore exists anywhere and everywhere. And by doing so they realize a truth that I believe remains true for all of us… there is life in the fire!
“God, I thank you that you have a plan and purpose for this earth, and that everyday you present me with the opportunity to be a part of that plan. Although living out my faith may at times feel like stepping into the furnace, I want to live for you. Let me not be afraid of standing out, but let me live each day to put you on display and not be ashamed of what I believe. There is life in the fire, I want to burn for you, only you. Amen”
Comments
No comments have been written about this yet. Be the first below!