February 17, 2011

Read Daniel 4:16-19.

I was called into my boss’ office. The door was closed behind me.  The tapping of her finger on the desk revealed her hidden anger. After several minutes of tense silence she let out the threat, ’If you do not stop talking about Jesus to our clients, I will have to let you go’.  Have you ever been in a situation where you have to make a choice between God and someone or something else? Have you ever been put on the spot for God?

Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego were in such a position. To the King burning with anger at their stubbornness and disobedience they simply replied,

"O 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 save us from it, and he will rescue us from your hand, O king. 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."

Our three friends in Babylon trusted God completely. There was no demand upon Him to come through. They simply trusted that God could save them. If he didn’t save them, that was His choice and His choice alone. They trusted God so much so that they refused to seek to save their own lives.  Shadrach and his bbq loving mates knew that God could save them from any and every situation.

As you and I step out in faith and stand up for Jesus we will learn by experience that God is able to save us from any and every situation. This is another one of those truths (of which the bible is filled) that we can only know by experience. The theory of the truth is useful to know but it only becomes life changing and world changing when we put it into practice and experience it.  As God works in and around us, we will be encouraged and emboldened to stand up for Jesus more and  more. As we grow in our trust of God we will take larger faith steps and  impact the world even  more greatly than we already have. Hallelujah and praise to God.

I learnt a valuable lesson that day in the boss’ office. I learnt in miniature what Shadrach and his mates also learnt - God is able to save us from any and every situation. After a quick and desperate prayer, the only thing I could think of was Acts 4:19. After blurting it out, though I dare say with far less confidence than our friends in Babylonian, the issue was never raised again by my boss.

Prayer:

þ Pray that the Christians in RBC and GRACE college  will have the courage to stand up for Jesus and to step out in faith. Pray that we would see many come into the Lord’s Kingdom through their faithfulness. Pray this for yourself and for your church. Pray this for the India and Burma mission team.