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“If it be so, our God whom we serve is able to rescue us from the furnace of blazing fire; and He will rescue us from your hand, O king. But even if He does not, let it be known to you, O king, that we are not going to serve your gods nor worship the golden statue that you have set up.” Daniel 3: 17-18

God is able—do you believe that? When you are worried about a child or a parent or finances, He is able to exchange your heavy burden for His light one (Matthew 11:29-30). When you’re in the midst of a storm, He is able to pull you out of the tumult and mire to place your feet on solid ground (Psalm 40:2). When you are sick or struggling physically, He is able to heal you perfectly—with or without the help of physicians and medicine (Mark 10:52).

But although He is able to do these amazing things (He is Almighty God, after all), He may not. Your prodigal child may reach the depths of the proverbial pigsty, despite your desperate prayers. The storm may rage around you, rain pelting your face and lodging your feet in the muddy depths. Your pain may not cease, but only increase, despite years of doctors and countless medications.

God is able. But His ways and thoughts are higher than ours (Isaiah 55:9). (He is Almighty God, after all.) The question becomes whether or not we trust Him to do what’s best for us. Can we relinquish control of what we think should happen and surrender to God’s will? Can we, like Daniel’s friends, like the Apostle Paul, and like Jesus Himself, cry out to our Father with what we want and hope…but do so with open hearts and hands, ultimately relinquishing our lives to His will?

Perhaps the only way for that prodigal to be saved is by hitting the bottom with nowhere else to run but to the Father. As we’re tossed about in the midst of the storm, maybe we need to rest in the Lord, washed over with His peace and held safe in His arms. And maybe, just maybe, there is purpose in the pain—to focus our eyes on Jesus, when we would otherwise turn our gaze to some golden statue.

Sisters, God is able to rescue us from whatever fiery furnace is upon us. But even if He does not, let’s stand firm and worship Him anyway. Let’s show others through our faith that God is trustworthy. When we encounter persecution for the name of Christ, let’s not deny Him for the sake of safety or comfort. Because whether we escape or burn, He will be with us in the fire.

Lord, You are able. I stand on that truth and worship You—both in and out of the furnace.

For His Glory

Julianne Winkler Smith
TRBC Women’s Life