Risky Business
Trust God. Don’t worry so much! I hear these charges so often. It sounds so easy even when we know that much self-denial is required in fully surrendering authority to the Almighty. Application can be another story. I have found great encouragement on this subject from a few men in Scripture: Shadrach, Meshach, Abendago and Stephen.
"Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego replied to him, “King Nebuchadnezzar, we do not need to defend ourselves before you in this matter. 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 3:16-18
Fast forward to the New Testament…
"But Stephen, full of the Holy Spirit, looked up to heaven and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing at the right hand of God. “Look,” he said, “I see heaven open and the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God.” At this they [Sanhedrin] covered their ears and, yelling at the top of their voices, they all rushed at him, dragged him out of the city and began to stone him. Meanwhile, the witnesses laid their coats at the feet of a young man named Saul. While they were stoning him, Stephen prayed, “Lord Jesus, receive my spirit.” Then he fell on his knees and cried out, “Lord, do not hold this sin against them.” When he had said this, he fell asleep." Acts 7:55-60
Each of these biblical characters (Shadrach, Meshach, Abednego and Stephen) were placed in a situation that provided an opportunity to compromise everything that they stood for in order to take an easier, less risky option. Each of these characters, were in tune with the Lord and were passionately professing His name. They did as called in these situations. None compromised. All four men chose to trust God in the face of adversity. Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego's lives were miraculously spared but Stephen died. Eternally, they were secure but their physical lives met different ends. Despite the different outcomes, there are important details to remember regarding motive and follow through. The state of their heart they each carried was in line with the Lord. They were obedient and loyal to the Father, ready and willing to die if it brought Him glory. These men are all wonderful examples of people who chose the One thing worthy.
Shadrach Meshach and Abednego LITERALLY were thrown INTO A FIRE. The guards that threw them into a furnace themselves died in the process of throwing them because it was so hot! These guys didn't have a reason to assume Jesus was going to show up like He did. (remember the 4th man they saw in the fire?) God didn’t tell them specifically that such a miraculous divine appearance was going to happen. They understood themselves to be at their earthly end. Their minds were prepared for action. Still, they trusted God enough to say yes to Him so to bring Him honor. I love their devotion!
Fast forward again....Stephen defended the Lord's honor to the Sanhedrin. He looked up and saw Christ in His glory standing at the Father's right hand. What a privilege to stand for Christ in such a way that Jesus Himself would stand with Stephen in approval. Yes, even in the moment of obedience, his earthly life did end by stoning. What gives? Why different circumstances? If we trust God won’t He take care of us? Why doesn't Jesus just whip us out of such situations every time? At first comparison, one may think that Stephen got the short end of the stick among these stories but that would be an incorrect conclusion! It's not and never was about us. We must keep our mind set on eternity enough to understand this essential point:
The ultimate outcome of each situation was the SAME.
Obedient hearts brought glory to God and the Kingdom advanced further through history. Jesus showed up. The Lord's greatness was revealed in both of these historical events and produced more believers. King Nebuchadnezzer praised God in the end. Saul, later known and best remembered as the apostle Paul, who approved of Stephen’s stoning ended up with a life-changing, road-to-Damascus encounter that resulted in a grand ministry (Acts 9). Scripture has plenty more recorded miracles and testimonies like these. God knows what He is doing regardless of what we may think about it. We just have to remember that while He has welcomed believers into His business, He still knows way more than we do. We don't have to understand what He's doing yet or how is working. We may not even be capable of understanding in our rented flesh but the old hymn rings true. "Tis so sweet to trust in Jesus, just to take Him at His word. Just to rest upon His promise, Just to know thus sayeth the Lord." It's a repeated story of trust, obedience and loyalty to the Lord and how, despite the opposition and uncertain earthly results, we can be sure of the eternal outcome and that the Kingdom of God will advance. That is exciting!
“As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts." Isaiah 55:9
It ‘s usually obvious to believers that we should trust God and that we can depend on Him, yet we are still quick to doubt. What situations are you facing today that are calling you to put your trust the Lord? Are you facing big decisions? Are you waiting for something? Wanting for something? Let’s pray about it. Feel free to contact me with your prayer requests if you need someone to partner with in prayer! It can feel so hard to trust that such a big God is for such a small me. Let that be your encouragement, though. He is so much bigger than us and all that we face! He loves you! It is always worth it to trust our mighty God. We can choose to doubt Him or surrender to Him. Let’s choose the one thing worthy!