A Faithful Faith!

We can have faith to step out and be involved in various kinds of service to the glory of God. We may find ourselves fulfilling tasks we never imagined being able to do and be greatly encouraged by the fruit of those labors in the Lord. Such can serve to increase our faith to work even harder. God desires to use us. He has work for us to do. He wants us to TRUST HIM for the competence (note 2 Corinthians 3:5-6) to fulfill those tasks. Praise God for His assurances that can inspire a faith that enables us to step out of our comfort zone and serve to the benefit of others and ultimately to His glory. Still, there is another life experience that perhaps reveals the depth of genuine faith to an even greater degree. Someone has said, “Great faith is exhibited not so much in ability to do, as to suffer.” [source: sentence sermons] Let us consider that idea for a moment.

In the face of persecution and suffering, that is when the depth and genuineness of our TRUST IN GOD is really put to the test. As I began to ponder those who have exhibited such a TRUST, three individuals came immediately to mind. Their names are Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah. Do you remember these three? Perhaps you remember these friends of Daniel by their Babylonian names: Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego. ( Daniel 1:6-7) These three, along with Daniel, prospered well in service even though they were in exile in Babylon. ( Daniel 1:15-17) Regarding those being trained in service we read that “among all of them none was found like Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah.” ( Daniel 1:19) In fact, their wisdom was found to be “ten times better than all the magicians and enchanters” in all the kingdom of Babylon. ( Daniel 1:20) Such a blessing would surely have bolstered their faith and could possibly have provided a sense of being safe before King Nebuchadnezzar.

It was not long before the faith of these three was going to be tested by fire. Because they refused to bow down to the golden image they faced a fiery furnace. Could they maintain their TRUST IN GOD in the heat of this life situation? Would they?

Given the choice to either bow or burn, note their response.
“(16) Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego answered and said to the king, ‘O Nebuchadnezzar, we have no need to answer you in this matter. (17) If this be so, OUR GOD whom we serve IS ABLE TO DELIVER US from the burning fiery furnace, and HE WILL DELIVER US OUT OF YOUR HAND, O king. (18) BUT IF NOT, be it known to you, O king, that WE WILL NOT SERVE YOUR GODS OR WORSHIP THE GOLDEN IMAGE that you have set up.’” ( Daniel 3:16-18 ESV)

In faith they knew what God was able to do. They TRUSTED GOD to deliver them one way or another. However, even if He did not choose to spare them from the fire they would remain faithful to God. Regardless of the outcome, they, in faith, ENTRUSTED themselves INTO GOD’S HANDS. They had a faith that enabled them to not only serve God, but also to remain faithful to Him even when things appeared to not be going well.

Reading the rest of the story, even though the furnace was heated up seven times more ( Daniel 3:19) -- killing those who threw them into the fire ( Daniel 3:22) -- God did deliver them. ( Daniel 3:26) Then Nebuchadnezzar even acknowledged the TRUST Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah had in their God. ( Daniel 3:28)

As Peter wrote to Christians who were facing severe trials, he encouraged…
“(6) In this you rejoice, though now for a little while, as was necessary, you have been grieved by various trials, (7) so that the TESTED GENUINENESS OF YOUR FAITH -- MORE PRECIOUS THAN GOLD THAT PERISHES THOUGH IT IS TESTED BY FIRE -- may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ. (8) Though you have not seen him, you love him. Though you do not now see him, YOU BELIEVE IN HIM and rejoice with joy that is inexpressible and filled with glory, (9) OBTAINING THE OUTCOME OF YOUR FAITH, the SALVATION OF YOUR SOULS.” ( 1 Peter 1:6-9 ESV)

Regardless of what we face, let us TRUST GOD that He is completely able to do whatever is needed and is in accord with His Will. As we consider the track record of God revealed throughout the Scriptures, let us be assured that we can TRUST HIM, knowing He will ultimately bring about the outcome of our faith -- the salvation of our souls. To Him be the praise and glory and honor forever.

Have a great day ASSURED OF THE FAITHFULNESS OF GOD!
Carl

See other teEn-MAIL on Trust