Terry and I faced some pretty severe storms together. Hurricane Irma was a Category 4 when the eye touched just 3 miles from our home. Then we battled other storms when we learned a thief stole our credit cards and went to town paying their bills with them. Then we waited for justice. Then we waited to be paid in a business deal in which Terry was involved and has yet to be paid. We loaned a “friend” some money for his business in what was to be a six-month to one year at the latest deal; but now almost two years later, no repayment, no conversations, nothing. During all of this, I was praying for God to intervene and stop the evil actions and to also soften the heart of someone who has gone out of their way to be unkind and unfair to Terry and me, and turn their face toward Him.
Irma did not “skip” over our house. We had over five feet of water and I lost count at the dollar amount of damage. The business deal/contract Terry signed, seemed insignificant, as years have gone by and no payment. The “friend” we believed to be honorable and trustworthy who needed the loan has not been honorable nor trustworthy. The person I begged God to turn their heart toward Him and change their behavior has continued to be nasty, unfair and unkind.
“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." - Daniel 3:18 (NIV) Shadrach, Meschach and Abednego were thrown into the literal fire. They knew our God would save them from the fire. But they said, “But even if he does not, we will not serve or worship your gods or worship the image of gold you have set up.” That is some serious faith. To say they knew God would save them from the king’s evil actions, *But even if He does not* they refused to bow down to anyone else.
I cannot tell you how many times I will play the song, “Another in the Fire,” by Hillsong United. God did not save Terry and me from the turmoil and storms we faced. “But even if He does not,” I will not stop worshipping and praising Him. I know He is just. I know God will restore what was destroyed in the hurricane. He already has. Terry’s and my marriage is closer and stronger than ever, having gone through all of that, together. And we rebuilt the house and it is far more beautiful than ever before. I am not angry about the thief who stole from us, anymore. God’s justice is far more powerful than the government’s justice (or lack thereof) system.
The person who borrowed from us has to look in the mirror every single day, and know the dishonesty is wrong. The person responsible for the business deal and who is nasty for sport, either will do the right thing, or will not. I know they will one day be held accountable for their actions, and I can only control my response, not theirs.
Let us not forget when evil people do evil things and we ask God to stop them … even if He does not prevent their behavior or immediately show us His justice toward them; He is still so good.
Friend, we are going to face fiery trials and turmoil. This is because Satan loves to throw his evil in our direction and he uses people who do not allow The Holy Spirit to guide them, to do so. This is a reflection of our broken, fallen world, not God. God was, God is, and God will always be good. Even if He does not stop you from being thrown into the figurative fire, remember this … He is right there with you.
There was another in the fire with Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego, and there is another in the fire with you. The enemy tried desperately to destroy Terry and me through Irma and the figurative storms we faced. But we saw the attempts for what they were, and we clung tightly to Jesus and one another. The enemy can only destroy you if you give the enemy the power to do so. But with God’s supernatural strength? You will walk out of the fire just like Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego did. Just remember when you do … make sure everyone around you knows it was God who brought you out of the flames and no one else.