I’ve been thinking a lot about where our world is today. It’s a little hard not to, considering everything that’s been going on. Our world has changed over the course of a few months and with it the way we handle things. I’ve said time and time again that we need to grow closer to God. The more time goes by, the more important it is for our relationship with God to grow. Things may get scary at times, but we do not need to fear because God is with us always.

“Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” – Philippians 4:6-7

            Today I was reading in the book of Daniel. I’m sure many of you remember his story. About how he was thrown into the lion’s den and God protected him from being eaten. It is a great story, but the story I want to talk about today is the story of Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah (aka Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-Nego). These three men, just like Daniel, were avid followers of God. The king at the time, Nebuchadnezzar, created this grand idol which he ordered all of his people to worship whenever they heard music playing. Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah disobeyed the king because this would go against the second commandment, “You shall not make idols”. This, of course, infuriated the king. When he came to confront them about their disobedience, rather than fearing for their lives, they kept their trust in God and answered the king by saying:

“O Nebuchadnezzar, we have no need to answer you in this matter. If that is the case, our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the burning fiery furnace, and He will deliver us from your hand, O king. But if not, let it be known to you, O king, that we do not serve your gods, nor will we worship the gold image which you have set up.”– Daniel 3:16-18

            As the story continues, we see that the king heats the furnace 7x hotter than usual and throws all three of them in. Logically, no one could survive that. I, myself, am terrified of fire. I know that I would have been terrified. However, as the three of them were amid the flames, a fourth man appeared…Jesus (“…the form of the fourth is like the Son of God.” Daniel 3:25). He was there to protect them and I can only imagine that being by His side provided them with courage and peace. They were not harmed by the flames. They didn’t even smell of smoke when they came out. Our Lord, Jesus Christ, kept them safe and He did not let anything harm them. He delivered them from harm. Our God still does that today.  

            We are very blessed to be living in a country where (for now) we can go to church, worship God, and read our Bibles without fear. However, things are changing and they are going to keep changing. In California, they are banning churches from being allowed to sing because it could spread the coronavirus. Praise and worship are a very important part of our relationship with God. Even so, those who are afraid agree that these steps are integral to getting rid of this virus. We have forgotten who the God we serve is.

            My question to you would be, have you forgotten who He is? He is the same God who kept Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah from burning in a fiery furnace. The same God who parted the Red Sea so that the Israelites may be safe from the Egyptians. The same God who healed countless people and fed the multitudes. The same God who gave His life for us and conquered death itself. If this is the same God that did all those things and more, then why are we letting fear dictate what we do? Our God, the One true God, is almighty, all-powerful, and all-loving. He is the same yesterday, today, and tomorrow. How can we doubt that He would not keep us safe?

“Fear not, for I am with you; Be not dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, Yes, I will help you, I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.” – Isaiah 41:10

            I, for one, have chosen not to live my life in fear. I know that my God is with me wherever I go and that He goes before me to make a path for me. As long as I keep my eyes on Him, the waves will not swallow me. A time may come where we are commanded to go against God. When that time comes, I pray that God gives me the same courage Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah had to stand firm in His name. Just like them, the most important thing to me is my relationship with Jesus. I want to grow closer to Him and I encourage you all to do the same. Lay all of our worries, your fears, your troubles at His feet and you will see how He delivers you.

“The righteous cry out, and the Lord hears, and delivers them out of all their troubles.” – Psalm 34:17