God will give us the grace to do whatever He’s commanded us to do. But that doesn’t mean it’ll be easy. The king of Babylon ordered Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego to be burned alive for refusing to worship his golden image. Here’s their faith confession: 1) ‘Our God…is able to deliver us’ (Daniel 3:17 KJV). They never doubted God’s ability. 2) ‘And he will deliver us’ (v.17). They never doubted God’s willingness. 3) ‘But if not,…we will not…worship the golden image’ (v.18). They never considered an alternative to obedience! How did their story turn out? ‘Then King Nebuchadnezzar was astonished…saying…“Did we not cast three men bound into the midst of the fire?” They answered and said to the king, “True, O king.” “Look!” he answered, “I see four men loose, walking in the midst of the fire; and they are not hurt, and the form of the fourth is like the Son of God”’ (v.24-25 NKJV). What happened next? ‘Then the king promoted Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego in the province of Babylon’ (v.30 NIV). We might have doubts because we’re facing the hardest thing we’ve ever had to do. But when God asks us to do something we don’t want to do, or feel we can’t do, He has our best interests in mind. He’s thinking long-term, and He knows if we can get through this next challenge, we’ll come out the other side with new skills, a fresh attitude in what we’re capable of with His help, and renewed faith in Him. He says, ‘I wish their hearts would always respect me and that they would always obey my commands so that things would go well for them and their children forever!’ (Deuteronomy 5:29 NCV).
