BIBLE PASSAGE:
After Job had prayed for his friends, the Lord restored
his fortunes and gave him twice as much as he had before.
(Job 42:10)
MEDITATION:
The Bible tells us that Job was blessed by receiving twice as much as
what he had lost. Job was devastated by the troubles that came into
his life. He was physically (and probably emotionally) bankrupt, but
because of how he responded to his misery, God blessed him in an
amazing way.
Even in their suffering, the Israelites were blessed when the
‘angel of death’ passed over their household without causing
the death of their firstborn. They were spared from great pain
and suffering.
So, when Christians are suffering an unimaginable pain, we need to
continue worshipping, praising and serving the Lord as a witness to
others of our sincere belief that God is in control.
Many of us have heard the phrase, “Flight or fight”. It means we either
run from problems in fear, or we consider our problems as a challenge
and we fight to overcome them rather than allowing them to control us.
As followers of Jesus, we might consider a new phrase of, “Flee or trust”.
We can try to get as far away from our problems as we can, or we can
choose to treat them as an opportunity to prove to others (and ourselves)
that our faith in God is genuine.
And when we can see the positive impact our suffering can have on others,
God will give us the strength to endure our pain with our eyes fixed on the
One who saved us. God will remind us that He is with us in the valley, the
same as He is with us on the mountaintop.
When Shadrack, Meshach and Abednego were cast into the fiery furnace,
they weren’t taken out of the fire, but Jesus joined them in the fire.
Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego replied to him, “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.”
Then Nebuchadnezzar was furious with Shadrach, Meshach
and Abednego, and his attitude toward them changed. He
ordered the furnace heated seven times hotter than usual and
commanded some of the strongest soldiers in his army to tie up
Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego and throw them into the
blazing furnace.
So these men, wearing their robes, trousers, turbans and other
clothes, were bound and thrown into the blazing furnace. The
king’s command was so urgent and the furnace so hot that the
flames of the fire killed the soldiers who took up Shadrach,
Meshach and Abednego, and these three men, firmly tied, fell
into the blazing furnace.
Then King Nebuchadnezzar leaped to his feet in amazement and
asked his advisers,
“Weren’t there three men that we tied up and threw into the fire?”
They replied,
“Certainly, Your Majesty.”
He said,
“Look! I see four men walking around in the fire, unbound and
unharmed, and the fourth looks like a son of the gods.”
Nebuchadnezzar then approached the opening of the blazing furnace
and shouted,
“Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego, servants
of the Most High God, come out! Come here!”
So Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego came out of the fire, and the
satraps, prefects, governors and royal advisers crowded around them.
They saw that the fire had not harmed their bodies, nor was a hair of
their heads singed; their robes were not scorched, and there was no
smell of fire on them.
Then Nebuchadnezzar said,
“Praise be to the God of Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego, who
has sent his angel and rescued his servants! They trusted in him
and defied the king’s command and were willing to give up their
lives rather than serve or worship any god except their own God.
Therefore I decree that the people of any nation or language who
say anything against the God of Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego
be cut into pieces and their houses be turned into piles of rubble,
for no other god can save in this way.”
(Daniel 3:16-29)
I heard a story recently about a waterfall that created raging rapids
in the river below. The people of the area saw an opportunity to make
some money by creating raft rides in this river. Before the raft would
leave, the guide would tell the people…
“When the raft capsizes, stay in the rough water with the
raft. You will see calm waters nearby and be tempted to
swim to them to avoid the rough waters. However, what
looks like a safe area, is where the alligators are waiting
for you”.
Even though the rapids seemed treacherous, it was a place of safety
for those who were on the raft. It’s the same for us, isn’t it? What
feels like the most devastating thing that could ever happen to us,
can have a positive impact on our own lives, and possibly the lives
of others, when we handle it the right way.
Charles Spurgeon said,
“I have learned to kiss the wave that throws me against the Rock of Ages”
It means embracing (rather than resisting), difficult trials because they
force us to grow closer to God (the “Rock of Ages”) for strength and survival.
It is a call to stop fighting against the hard things in life and instead accept
the fact that God uses trials for our spiritual good. It implies that trials are
not random punishments, but are ordered by God to deepen our faith and
reliance upon Him; forcing us to cling to the secure “Rock of Ages” rather
than relying on ourselves.
ACTION:
Suffering is hard and some suffering is devastating and may even feel like
punishment. But God may have given us a trial to refine our righteousness
and draw us closer to Him than we have ever been before. In His master
plan, our suffering may be a part of what He is doing in the life of someone
else and/or in us.
Question to ask ourselves:
– When I am challenged with an overwhelming trial, what will I do?
– Will I try to cope and overcome it, in my own strength?
– Will I choose to deny it is happening to me?
– Will I try to get as far away from it as I can?
– Will I try to understand how God may be using this devastating
problem as part of His master plan to reach a person who is lost?
– Will I look for how my response to the issue
could have a positive impact on someone else?
– Will I continue to pray for others who are in need?
– Will I thank the Lord for what is happening
even when I fail to see His good purpose in it?
Give thanks in all circumstances;
for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.
(1 Thessalonians 5:18)
– Will I embrace how this trial will replace my pride with humility?
Father, in my distress I am reminded of
what Your Word says about calling on You.
I call on the Lord in my distress, and He answers me.
(Psalm 120:1)
The Lord is near to all who call on Him,
to all who call on Him in truth.
(Psalm 145:18)
And everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.
(Acts 2:21)
For there is no difference between Jew and Gentile—the
same Lord is Lord of all and richly blesses all who call on Him.
(Romans 10:12)
Flee the evil desires of youth and pursue righteousness, faith, love
and peace, along with those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart.
(2 Timothy 2:22)
Pray,
“Heavenly Father, You know and see what I am going
through right now. Even though I don’t understand it,
I believe Your Word when it says that You ‘in all things
work for the good of those who love You, and who have
been called according to Your purpose’. Father, You
know how I am hurting and confused, so I ask You to
help me remember that there is some good that will
result from this trial I am experiencing right now.
Brokenness and heartache are not new to You, but
You are also familiar with blessings and healing, because
You are the God Who saves and restores. I pray that You
would give me a glimpse of the good that You are working
in all of this so I will be encouraged and will cope with it in
the right way. Remind me You may be using this to impact
the life of someone else who may be witnessing my pain and
sadness, but You might also be using it to further sanctify me
so I will become the person You want me to be. Father, I pray
that I will respond in the right way and You will relieve me of
this burden. I look forward to any new blessings I might receive
for the way I have depended on You and tried to focus on the
good in what is happening. Thank You Father, for helping me
to grow closer to You rather than rebelling or trying to get as
far away from this trial as I can. Help me understand Your
purpose and feel Your presence always. I love You and I am
very thankful for Your love for me.”
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