Word for the day by Christian Education Forum
Communion with Risen Lord in Daily Life
Daniel 3:7-28
Vs 17 If our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the furnace of blazing fire and out of your hand, O king, let him deliver us.
Vs 17 If our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the furnace of blazing fire and out of your hand, O king, let him deliver us.
If there is one thing that our recent conditions have proven, it is that our life will never stop running out of problems. Whether it be forgetting to set your alarm, your morning commute to work, the bill you forgot to pay, or inability to conceive a child, the one thing that all humans are guaranteed in this earthly life is hardship. 2 Timothy 2: 3 “You therefore must endure hardship as a good soldier of Jesus Christ.”
Oftentimes our problems seem to have no answer, and there seems to be no end in sight. We feel controlled and consumed by our circumstances and unable to find a way out. This control that we feel often results in a common, unhealthy way of human coping: a constant obsession of what we are lacking. This is not a habit that we can easily break, because we are susceptible to all the conditions of humanity. However, this is a condition that can be overcome.
When Nebuchadnezzar demanded that all people worship him, to us it seems that there were two options for Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego: worship the king and live or worship God and die. When we are faced with all our problems in life there may be similar options presented to us as well; one option that satisfies the need momentarily and another that has either a future or unforeseen benefit. However, using Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego as role models, we see that for them, there were no options. Their trust in God was so unquestionable that they never altered who they were to fit the societal norms of the time. These men were not just ordinary men, they were men that came from Israelite royal families and were given every luxury to be appointed into Nebuchadnezzar’s court, as mentioned in Daniel 1: 3-5.
They were rooted in their God given identities. And we know how hard that it is, for Jesus reminds us, “it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for someone who is rich to enter the kingdom of God.”
Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego were their Babylonian/Chaldean names but their original Judean names were Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah. These names which meant “God is gracious", "Who is what God is?" and "God has helped" reflect their identities. They recognized the glories of God and never questioned their situation. They conditioned themselves to trust in His plan and refused to falter despite the momentary backlash they may have faced. There was no question in their faith because they were one with it. Notice how even when they address the King, their words are not taunting or overzealous; in fact they seem very similar to a humble leper that came to Jesus (Matthew 8:1-3). They are confident in their faith, yet they show humility. We should be one with our faith, but we should never use it to seem better than another.
It is not simple to get to this point in life. The only way we can do this through constant communion with God. Studying the Bible, praying, reflecting in our previous actions as well as consistent worship are just some of the few steps we need to take. Afterwards, our spiritual journeys will take the road that Our Father has destined for us. This may be a challenge for us because we have lost our formal ways of spending time with God: going to church and fellowship with other believers. But this is a great opportunity to blur the lines that may separate ourselves and our faith. A strong faith will provide outlets for all our problems, answers to all our questions, resources for every need, and much, much more. Jesus says, “Knock and I will answer…” and “Cast your worries on me.”
How many of us are willing to return to that original foundation God has laid in us? How many of us are willing to trust in that unforeseen or future benefit? How many of us have blind, resilient faith? How many of us are willing to allow our faith to be our life? How many of us are able to be freed because our faith is what we dwell in? And what will it take? The hardest problem we have faced, COVID-19, is before us. In this time of uncertainty and fright let us find comfort in who we are, and commune with our Risen Lord. Let us become one with our faith. Let us be able to walk into the fiery furnace with no doubt that we will be saved.
Oftentimes our problems seem to have no answer, and there seems to be no end in sight. We feel controlled and consumed by our circumstances and unable to find a way out. This control that we feel often results in a common, unhealthy way of human coping: a constant obsession of what we are lacking. This is not a habit that we can easily break, because we are susceptible to all the conditions of humanity. However, this is a condition that can be overcome.
When Nebuchadnezzar demanded that all people worship him, to us it seems that there were two options for Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego: worship the king and live or worship God and die. When we are faced with all our problems in life there may be similar options presented to us as well; one option that satisfies the need momentarily and another that has either a future or unforeseen benefit. However, using Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego as role models, we see that for them, there were no options. Their trust in God was so unquestionable that they never altered who they were to fit the societal norms of the time. These men were not just ordinary men, they were men that came from Israelite royal families and were given every luxury to be appointed into Nebuchadnezzar’s court, as mentioned in Daniel 1: 3-5.
They were rooted in their God given identities. And we know how hard that it is, for Jesus reminds us, “it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for someone who is rich to enter the kingdom of God.”
Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego were their Babylonian/Chaldean names but their original Judean names were Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah. These names which meant “God is gracious", "Who is what God is?" and "God has helped" reflect their identities. They recognized the glories of God and never questioned their situation. They conditioned themselves to trust in His plan and refused to falter despite the momentary backlash they may have faced. There was no question in their faith because they were one with it. Notice how even when they address the King, their words are not taunting or overzealous; in fact they seem very similar to a humble leper that came to Jesus (Matthew 8:1-3). They are confident in their faith, yet they show humility. We should be one with our faith, but we should never use it to seem better than another.
It is not simple to get to this point in life. The only way we can do this through constant communion with God. Studying the Bible, praying, reflecting in our previous actions as well as consistent worship are just some of the few steps we need to take. Afterwards, our spiritual journeys will take the road that Our Father has destined for us. This may be a challenge for us because we have lost our formal ways of spending time with God: going to church and fellowship with other believers. But this is a great opportunity to blur the lines that may separate ourselves and our faith. A strong faith will provide outlets for all our problems, answers to all our questions, resources for every need, and much, much more. Jesus says, “Knock and I will answer…” and “Cast your worries on me.”
How many of us are willing to return to that original foundation God has laid in us? How many of us are willing to trust in that unforeseen or future benefit? How many of us have blind, resilient faith? How many of us are willing to allow our faith to be our life? How many of us are able to be freed because our faith is what we dwell in? And what will it take? The hardest problem we have faced, COVID-19, is before us. In this time of uncertainty and fright let us find comfort in who we are, and commune with our Risen Lord. Let us become one with our faith. Let us be able to walk into the fiery furnace with no doubt that we will be saved.
PRAYER
Dear Lord, You know all things, O Creator, and we ask for your divine hand to relieve us of all our worries. How great are you O God, how wonderful is all that you have made us to be. Let us serve your will and trust in all that you have planned. In Jesus' name we pray, Amen.
THOUGHT FOR THE DAY
God is faithful. He will not let you be tempted any more than you can take. But when you are tempted, God will give you a way out.
AKSA BABU, THE MAR THOMA CHURCH STATEN ISLAND
Christian Education Forum, Diocese of NAE of the Mar Thoma Church
AKSA BABU, THE MAR THOMA CHURCH STATEN ISLAND
Christian Education Forum, Diocese of NAE of the Mar Thoma Church