Never Ending Praise The Lord

Daniel 3:17-18 NIV …” 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.”

I don’t know if I’ve ever mentioned this, but I love the Old Testament. There’s so much adventure and history. I get hooked every time I reread the story of Moses leading those grumbling, wicked Israelites out of Egypt. I often find myself flummoxed at the sheer audacity of those guys. Of course, I’m not much different than them. I too prioritize worldly treasures over God. I also complain and tell God that what he’s done isn’t sufficient. I seem to clearly be guilty of questioning God as well.

                                Don’t worry, I’m not being too hard on myself. Questioning God and asking him for signs and wonders isn’t entirely out of the ordinary.  I want to specifically zero in on my friend, Gideon for a minute here.  In Judges 6, Gideon is called to deliver the Israelites from oppression by the Midianites. My man is doubtful. Have you ever squinted your eyes at God and thought, “Me? Really?” I can totally relate. Gideon was no different. He laid out fleece on a threshing floor and told God if he really wanted Gideon to do this thing, that the fleece would be covered in dew the next morning and the ground would be dry.

                                I know you don’t have to guess what God did. Of course, he obliged. Still not quite sure, Gideon then said, ‘Okay, God let’s just check and make sure it’s really you though. If the fleece is dry in the morning but the ground is wet, I’ll believe you then.” God again answered. I think if he was exasperated by Gideon, scripture would tell us.  It honestly makes me scratch my head. I know I would for sure want to strangle Gideon by that point. However, God knows human nature- he did after all, create us.

                                I think it’s the same for people today. I know I never thought I would be writing devotions. In fact, last year my friend had us write advent devotions and when I tell you I was dragging my feet over it, I’m not exaggerating. I didn’t know it at the time, but that was God preparing me for what I’m doing now. When he told me to write the devotions, I really said, “Are you sure, Lord?” I kind of wish I had asked for a fleece test now.

                                Now that I’ve told you about Gideon, I’m going to skip forward quite a few books in the bible and tell you about three of my other favorite people.  If you don’t already know, Israel continued to be disobedient and well, wicked. So, God eventually exiled them to Babylon. Not all of the Israelites were fools though. Meet Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego. I urge you to run-don’t walk- for your bibles and open up to Daniel. Daniel’s three friends refused to bow down to King Nebuchadnezzar’s statue and as a result, they were tossed in a fiery furnace.

                                These guys didn’t just refuse to bow down to a statue though. They specifically stated that God would save them…. But even if he didn’t, they would not bow down to the King’s idols.

                                My question is, how do we go from testing the Lord when we doubt, to trusting him in full confidence? I can only hope to be that person that chooses to trust… even if.