Day 52: I trust You, Lord. Trusting the process. Daniel 3
When Babylon conquered Judah, King Nebuchadnezzar took the best of the best people back to Babylon to teach them how to serve his kingdom. Among those where three Hebrew young men named Hananiah, Mishael and Azariah whose names were change to the 'local' names of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego.
When the king ordered everyone to worship his golden images on demand, these three boys refused. Now these three boys were already in prominent positions so you can image how upset the king was. His pride was probably shot at as well. "Who do these filthy Jews think they are? After I've brought them into my kingdom, taught them our ways, offered them the best food to eat, and given them charge over the affairs of the province, they come here and spit in my face by blatantly ignoring my decree to serve my god! BRING THEM HERE!!!!"
After being questioned, the boys replied, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, answered and said to the king, O Nebuchadnezzar, we are not careful to answer thee in this matter. If it be so, our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the burning fiery furnace, and he will deliver us out of thine hand, O king. But if not, be it known unto thee, O king, that we will not serve thy gods, nor worship the golden image which thou hast set up. Daniel 3:16-18 KJV
In other words, "My God needs no defense. Do what you have to do. Our God will deliver us, but even if He doesn't, we won't bow and worship your gods."
Being the prideful king he was, Nebuchadnezzar quickly had them thrown into the furnace with the heat turned up. After seeing four shadows in the furnace, he ordered them out. The three came out without any issue at all.
While in, you can image they were being ministered to as the king's men indicated that the fourth shadow looked like the Son of God! The Son of God probably encouraged them because that's His nature. He let them know that the process they have been through was almost over and their reward for remaining faithful would be great. He probably prepared them to be promoted in the physical and spiritual realms. After being ordered out, Nebuchadnezzar changed his mind. The God these young lads served had to be worth serving if they could survive this without issue. You can imagine he realized that these are the type of people he wanted on his team. He then promoted these three young men.
Then the king promoted Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, in the province of Babylon. Daniel 3:30 KJV
No one wants to be thrown into a burning furnace but these young men held onto their faith. They trusted that God would deliver however He delivered, even if it meant death. When you are going through your crisis, how do you feel? Are you running around fretting about everything like a chicken with its head cutoff or are you calm like the three boys from Judah, trusting that God would see you through?
Oftentimes, people you have to deal with don't know that you are the only reason they haven't seen failure. But like Nebuchadnezzar, once they see you hold fast to your belief, values, and morals, they will take notice and know that you can be trusted with more. God will use them to prosper you.
Don't run from the process. It's the process that will get you the promotion. Go into the furnace. Remember your insecurities are a mind game straight from hell. Kick your insecurities in the mouth and boldly step into the furnace. Once in, you can rest assured that your Father will not leave you nor forsake you. Hold onto His every promised and trust that when you come out, you will shine like never before.
Pressing forward,
Keiyia JOYet George
Trust Walk: Walking in His Steps coming soon!