When You Stand in the Flames ..Jennifer Ikner Lowry

 When You Stand in the Flames

By Jennifer Ikner Lowry

BIBLE VERSE OF THE DAY: “He answered and said, Lo, I see four men loose, walking in the midst of the fire, and they have no hurt; and the form of the fourth is like the Son of God.” - Daniel 3:25

The testimonies of brothers and sisters in Christ are woven with mistakes, forgiveness, anxieties, and grace. When we take the time to listen to others as they share their trials, perseverance, or conversion, we get a special invitation to glimpse into the Holy Spirit’s workings. The sharing of our stories allows our hearts to be filled with an overwhelming desire to praise Him by saying, “Only God.”

The testimonies of brothers and sisters in Christ are woven with mistakes, forgiveness, anxieties, and grace. When we take the time to listen to others as they share their trials, perseverance, or conversion, we get a special invitation to glimpse into the Holy Spirit’s workings. The sharing of our stories allows our hearts to be filled with an overwhelming desire to praise Him by saying, “Only God.”

Only God can bring hope to the hopeless, and fearlessness to those who fear. Sometimes, in the middle of our challenges, there might seem to be no end in sight of the mess. It could be one event after the other that piles upon us, making us so heavy-laden with trepidation that we lose sight of where to turn. Instead of declaring, “Only God,” we ask, “Why God?”

Even though it might seem like an impossible task to hold on to verses when we are in the middle of problems that seem to have no solution, be assured that Jesus promised to be with us even until the end of the age (Matthew 28:20). Let us be mindful — when we are facing financial burdens, family problems, or sickness — that our mess could just be the makings of something else: a future message for another brother or sister experiencing a similar hardship. They might need our story to give them hope and keep the holding steadfast to the Lord.

Let us model our steps after those three rebellious young men of the Old Testament. Their names were some of my favorites that I loved to repeat as a child: Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego. Faced with conditions forcing them to come face to face with their faith, they bonded together and took a stand against King Nebuchadnezzar’s commands. Even though they were thrown into the fire, they did not feel the flames.

You might be standing in the middle of a blazing fire, but trust in the Lord to deliver you from your circumstance. You may see the flames or hear the crackling, but you will feel no heat because you serve a mighty Father that will bring you through this trial. And when you have broken free from your mess you will have a testimony to say, “Only God.”

The story did not end with Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego being rescued from flames unsinged. It could have, and it still would have, been the glorious testimony of the faith of a few and the power of God. But, reading further, we see that King Nebuchadnezzar’s hardened heart was softened. He even promoted them within the kingdom for their display of integrity and commitment.

Your time is coming. Hold on to that unwavering faith that can move mountains:

“And Jesus said unto them, Because of your unbelief: for verily I say unto you, if ye have faith as a grain of mustard seed, ye shall say unto this mountain, remove hence to yonder place; and it shall remove; and nothing shall be impossible unto you.” (Matthew 17:20)

In the flames, repeat that nothing is impossible with God. When you walk away, praise His name and say, “Only God!”

Further reading: Daniel 3