Last year in the same week, Michala and my sister-friend Jessica sent the song, “Another in the Fire” by Hillsong to me.
I love this song so much, and I love the story from scripture it represents. Pastor Steve has done such a beautiful job teaching us to look for Jesus in the Old Testament. Growing up, I just didn’t hear about Jesus in the Old Testament. Sure, we talked about the Prophet Isaiah predicting Jesus. And we talked about the lineage of David to Jesus. But finding Jesus in the Old Testament was almost unheard of, so as I became an adult and studied more and grew deeper in my faith, it was an amazing find to go back and see the scriptures and stories I have read time and time again, and see Jesus there.
One of my favorite stories is in the third chapter of Daniel. I have written about Shadrach, Meshach and Abendego being in the fiery furnace, and not only telling King Nebuchadnezzar they would not worship him, but also they did not have to defend themselves to him.
What they said next, though, is where my faith is always challenged.
“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."- Daniel 3:17-18 (NIV)
You know the rest of the story. Because they did now bow down to King Nebuchadnezzar, or say what he wanted to hear, the king ordered they be tied up, bound in their clothing and threw them into the furnace. And he ordered it to be even hotter than normal, causing several of his own soldiers to be killed.
But wait, there’s more.
When the king saw them walking around in the fire, unbound, he noticed not only were they walking around (and not dead) but there were not just three of them, anymore.
There were four.
Listen, if you are not familiar with this story, please grab your Bible and read it. It’s Daniel, chapter 3. And it’s amazing.
Because God always shows up.
I now realize I had to walk through my own flames in order to tell someone what it felt like to finally step off the hot coals.
Would I have preferred to never walk through the fire? Of course. Do I think God can use it for His glory?
One hundred percent.
And He will use your fires, too. The enemy wants you to keep your heartaches all shoved down, deep inside you. He wants to torment you with your past.
God wants to unleash it, free you from it, and unburden you. He will walk in the fire with you, and give you the strength to come off the hot coals. When you share your story with someone, you will realize you made it. And if you’re still on those hot coals, don’t think for a second you are alone. Because you aren’t.
There’s another in your fire.