“God is our refuge and strength, always ready to help in times of trouble. So we will not fear when earthquakes come and the mountains crumble into the sea. Let the oceans roar and foam. Let the mountains tremble as the waters surge! — Psalm 46:1-3.
One of the most famous Bible stories is the story of Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego found in chapter 3 of Daniel. You know the story: the three Hebrew men tell the king they do not need to defend themselves because God is their defender, they tell him that they are not concerned about the ability of their God, He is fully able to deliver and now they let him know in verse 18: “But even if he doesn’t, we want to make it clear to you, Your Majesty, that we will never serve your gods or worship the gold statue you have set up.” They are thrown into a fiery furnace by Nebuchadnezzar, king of Babylon, because they refused to bow down to the king’s image. God preserves them from harm. But think of the level of trust; they told the king that even if God does not deliver them, they will still honor Him.
Fast forward to today. We are asked to trust God in the midst of major troubles. That’s not easy. We prefer God to do what is good and noble and right. Certainly, we don’t expect to be thrown into a fiery furnace. It is easier to trust God when things are good. But God does not work like that. He is God and His plans will be fulfilled even when it doesn’t appear those plans are good or trustworthy. That is where trust comes in. Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego”s faith was not conditional. They did not believe in their deliverance, they believed in the One that delivers.
Many of us in Northwest Florida are facing real trials and real troubles. Many of us are navigating through a season in life that you never wanted or even imagined would happen. No one understands this better than your Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Can you imagine the stress levels of Jesus? He knows He’s about to die, He knows the totally gruesome way He will die and He knows He does not deserve any of this. And He asks God the Father please if there is another way please don’t make me go out like this. Yet He says, “I want your will to be done, not mine.” (Luke 22:42)
Do we trust God in times of trouble? In those times of trouble, do we have a my will attitude or a God’s will attitude? And whatever it is that has you shaken today, whatever is going on in your life today, you are faced with an important question. Are you still going to trust God?
Discussion Questions:
- Is it a little harder to trust God after Hurricane Michael? Why or why not?
- What can we do this week to strengthen our trust in God in turbulent times?