When Life Heats Up

​Life can heat up in a hurry.
You and I know this all too well!
Stress. Pressure. Change. Challenges. Setbacks. Sudden illness. Financial reversals. Tests. Trials. Heartbreak. Loss. Misunderstanding. Conflict. Opposition. Suffering. Persecution. All these life events will raise the temperature of our emotions and our spirit, testing our resolve to respond with faith as God guides us through the fiery trials.
In the Bible, the Apostle Peter writes in I Peter 4:12-13 “Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery ordeal among you, which comes upon you for your testing as though some strange thing were happening to you, but to the degree that you share the sufferings of Christ, keep on rejoicing so that also at the revelation of His glory, you may rejoice with exultation.
Peter’s word to Christians: fiery ordeals (trials) will come because you serve the Lord Jesus Christ. Do not be surprised when they show up. When your faith is tested by fire, rejoice because you are sharing in Jesus’ suffering. When the Lord is revealed in His glory, you will rejoice with extraordinary joy for having passed the fiery trials tests.
Peter’s bottom line: fiery trials test and purify our faith.
One of the most inspiring, uplifting and encouraging examples of trial by fire is found Daniel chapter 3. Here we are introduced to Shadrach, Meshach and Abed-nego. I remember first learning about the faith of three young Hebrew men when I was a little boy in Sunday School. They were thrown in a fire pit because they refused to worship a false God.
My friend, if you need some zip in your faith, a boost in your spirit, an adjustment in your attitude or a bounce in your step, read the whole chapter. If you are like me, you will jump out of your chair and give praise to God for such tremendous, immovable, inspiring faith under fire.
Highlights of Daniel 3

• King Nebuchadnezzar, an evil king, erected a false idol and ordered all his subjects to fall down and worship the golden image. If not, a trip to a “blazing furnace of fire” awaits you.
• Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-nego said no thanks. “Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-nego answered and said to the king “O Nebuchadnezzar, we do not need to give you an answer concerning this. If it be so, our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the furnace of blazing fire, and He will deliver us out of your hand, O King. But even if He does not, let it be known to you O King, that we are not going to serve your gods or worship the golden image that you have set up. “Daniel 3:16-18.

 
Their bold response: No way king. Our God will deliver us and if He does not, we will not fall down and serve your gods and worship your golden image.

• The enraged king, full of wrath, ordered the furnace to be turned up seven times hotter. The three defiant, faith-filled men were tied up and tossed into the blazing inferno. (Be sure to read verses 24-30 and chapter 4:1-3).
• Nebuchadnezzar peered into the pit and saw four men in the fire. One looked like a god. The surprised, confused king pulled them from the fire. The young men’s clothes were not burned, their hair was not singed, and they did not smell like smoke!
• Nebuchadnezzar’s response: “Blessed be the God of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-nego , who has sent His angel and delivered His servants who put their trust in Him, violating the King’s command, and yielded up their bodies so as not to serve or worship any god except their own God.” Daniel 3:28.
• The king acknowledges the God of the three young men. He is converted to the Jewish most High God. He makes a decree that no one will stand against the Hebrew God without penalty.

Oh my! Spiritual goose bumps are popping up all over me! What faith! Our God will deliver us, and even if He does not, we will not abandon our faith in Him.
Faith under fire, literal and spiritual, carried the day. The young men’s faith stand was a powerful witness to an unbelieving king and nation.
****God stood with Shadrach, Meshach and Abed-nego because they took a stand for Him.
How about you? How about me? When the heat is on will we take a stand boldly and firmly in faith for Jesus Christ? Will we trust in the Lord no matter how hot fiery trials become? Will we believe in Him even if His deliverance is not the way we think it should be?
I know I am searching my soul after reading about Shadrach, Meschah and Abed-nego’s faith. My faith could be tested like theirs in my lifetime. Jesus said His followers would be hated and persecuted for His name’s sake. Would I stand tall like the three Hebrews? I pray to God I would.
Life heating up? Turn up the thermostat of faith. Meet life’s trials head on with trust in the Lord.
“I am with you to deliver you says the Lord.” Jeremiah 1:8
“That the proof of your faith being more precious than gold which is perishable, even though tested by fire, may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ.” I Peter 1:7
A Word For Your Week: You and I can manage life’s heat because Jesus is with us.