Deliverance

The women's Bible study group at my church is currently working its way through the book of Daniel, accompanied by Beth Moore's study of the same book. (I had never read/seen any of Beth Moore's stuff before this. I like her. She's a nut. She's also theologically sound.) In her exploration of the story of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego and the fiery furnace (which was before I was a part of this study, but she referred back to it today), she made this point:

When we, as God's people, face a trial, the outcome will be one of three possibilities. We can be A) delivered from the fire, B) delivered through the fire, or C) delivered by the fire into God's arms. What really struck me today was our misplaced priorities and our bizarre perspective on life.

Generally speaking, in most situations that could be defined as a trial, we would opt for choice A. God is glorified by His ability to keep us completely safe, and we don't have to deal with any pain or struggle. Win-win, right? B and C, we're much less excited about.

But stop and think about the other options! If Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego had been delivered from the fire ("Hey guys, I changed my mind, don't throw them in there after all..."), they wouldn't have found fellowship in the fire with one that "looks like a son of the gods" and they wouldn't have had the opportunity to stare, amazed, at their unharmed bodies, hair, and robes. They didn't even smell like smoke! What a miraculous affirmation of the truth upon which they had staked their lives!

Should we so eagerly seek immediate comfort in place of the opportunity to know the One who gives all comfort, even in the most dire of circumstances? And if the best experiences in this life are the ones where we come a little closer into His presence, shouldn't we, as Paul, long for the day when we will be delivered into His arms? Shouldn't we bless the trial that will make us ready for that day, and doubly bless the trial that will escort us there at last?

You or your generation?

In studying Daniel today and then reading the story of Noah in Genesis, I was struck by the impact of these men who stood firm in the midst of entire generations that had turned their backs on the Lord. Daniel refused to partake of the over-the-top luxuries of Babylon, Noah and his family remained faithful to the Lord while all of their neighbors fell away, and there are a great number of other people like this found throughout the Bible and throughout the rest of history. It wasn't easy for the prophets to proclaim, day in and day out, the truths of the God they served while being beaten and shunned. I'm fairly certain Daniel didn't turn down the riches of Babylon because he really just preferred simple foods, and that Noah didn't just have a distaste for the sins in which his neighbors chose to engage. Nonetheless, these men stood firm on what they believed, and the Lord was glorified in their lives.

Are we more concerned with what our generation is up to or with our own standing before the Lord? I do not believe that we will be judged on a curve. I have very strong doubts about the likelihood of the holy God of Israel saying, "Oh, well, I suppose in comparison with them you did pretty well after all..." Are we ready to stand alone, "blameless and pure, children of God without fault in a crooked and depraved generation, in which we shine like stars in the universe as we hold out the word of life?" (Philippians 2:15-16)

Not because we are righteous

Today I was reading in the book of Daniel and came across the passage where he is praying for the city of Jerusalem. This had struck me earlier this summer, and it stuck out to me again today. He has seen a vision that Jerusalem will be in desolation for seventy years, and he lays out his heart before the Lord on behalf of his city, confessing their sins, blessing the name of the Lord, and pleading with Him for mercy. The whole prayer is powerful, but the part that stands out to me is the end:

"Now, our God, hear the prayers and petitions of your servant. For your sake, O Lord, look with favor on your desolate sanctuary. Give ear, O God, and hear; open your eyes and see the desolation of the city that bears your Name. We do not make requests of you because we are righteous, but because of your great mercy. O Lord, listen! O Lord, forgive! O Lord, hear and act! For your sake, O my God, do not delay, because your city and your people bear your Name."

We do not make requests of you because we are righteous, but because of your great mercy. So basic, but so essential, so beautiful, so pure and empowering and freeing. This truth alone sums up so much of the Christian faith, of the character of the God that I love and serve. This is it. I live and breathe and thrive not because I am righteous or have any inherent goodness, but because of God's great mercy. And for that I praise Him and bless His name.