“Then Nebuchadnezzar said, “Praise be to the God of Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego, who has sent his angel and rescued his servants! They trusted in him and defied the king’s command and were willing to give up their lives rather than serve or worship any god except their own God.” Daniel 3:28

Trust In Self Or God?

Because of their faith and devotion, God could have easily stepped in and saved Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego from entering the fiery furnace. But God had something more in mind for these young men that would proclaim His power and sovereignty to the whole world. God would not deliver them from the furnace because He wanted to deliver them through the furnace.

The same could be said for Rebekah Bradford, who trained many years to make the Olympics in speed skating only to fall down just before the finish line. While there was sorrow, grief and anger on why it happened to her, God had something more in store for Bradford’s faith and to proclaim Himself through her.

A rule allowed her to reskate by herself, so she decided to do that after some deliberation. She ended with the fastest time and earned a spot on the Olympic team. While her fall would have crushed many, God was able to use a faithful girl to bring glory and honor to Himself through her experience.

How do you handle disappointments? Do you allow them to crush you or do you allow God to walk along side you? Do you turn away from God or do you look to see how He is going to work through you?

— TIM PITCHER

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