This week's lesson focuses more on Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego and their fiery furnace experience.
We opened with ideas of what we might leave in a note to loved ones if God gave us the time to leave our thoughts. (Pg 34 - Q 1). From a couple gals we heard "Fret Not - I'm in heaven" and "This is why you put your trust in Jesus."
We talked about "furnace avoidance" on pages 34-35 where essentially we find ourseleves praying "God deliver me from pain, discomfort, suffering and inconvenience. Make my life smooth, Make my journey easy. Make my years on this earth comfortable. Remove all obstacles from my path." Interesting that we should expect this in our Christian walks when the great men and women of the Bible endured much hardship for the sake of serving and knowing God. Even Jesus himself walked a path of suffering all for the glory of the Father and for our benefit.
Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego had heard King Nebuchadnezzar's decree to bow down to his infamous 90' statue. They knew their demise was coming and all they had to do to avoid the furnace was to bend their knees to the statue. They could have easily saved their skin and rationalized that "in their hearts they could still be devoted to God" but still save themselves by being "someone one else on the outside". However they had firmly stated that they would not give in to King Nebuchadnezzar's demand. Therefore they honored God and their witness to the Bablonian community stayed intact and no doubt even grew.
Question 3 threw me for a little loop when referring to current theological sytems and teachings that tell us that furnace avoidance is what we should practice. Sadly we learned about how some churches, pastors and Christian authors today preach a false gospel that tells us God is all about our earthly health, wealth and happiness and that God wouldn't want us to endure a furnace experience. God does want the best for us which may sometimes include good health, some wealth and even happy times but HIS BEST COMES THROUGH HARD STUFF because HE WANTS US TO LEARN DEPENDANCE ON HIM - TO TRUST HIM. God will allow furnaces for each of His children in our stay here on earth all the while walking with us step by step. Our furnaces can be the best way to experience the love and depths of God.
In question 9 regarding how Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego shaped the future of their people we concluded that their testing received much attention and probably created an environment for the Jews to worship more openly while in Babylon. At the same time they were witnesses to Nebu, other Babylonians and those from other nations of how great their God was (Q10)
In my small group the challenge I participated in was the Loving and Being Loved segment on page 39. I had to write YIKES! in the sidebar of my book as I read this:
"God spends lots of time in furnaces; He has felt the heat. In the ultimate furnace, He went to the cross and bore the weight of human sin for us. As an act of sacrificial love, consider doing SOMETHING DANGEROUS. Make a decision to stop asking for less heat and flames in your life. Don't ask for an easier, richer, more pleasent or more secure life. Instead tell Jesus you want to go with Him wherever He goes. Commit to walking with Him as He leads....even if this means stepping into a furnace."
So consider doing SOMETHING DANGEROUS for God. Cling to His promises, not the possibilities.
Written by Melanie
No comments:
Post a Comment