Bungee-Cord Faith
Lori Fiechter
Daniel 3:17-18 If we are thrown into the blazing furnace, the God we serve is able to save us from it, and he will rescue us from your hand, O king. 18 But even if he does not, we want you to know, O king, that we will not serve your gods or worship the image of gold you have set up.
It looks dangerous--plunging from a dizzy height with only a stretchy cord as protection against death or serious injury: Bungee-jumping. Miscalculations can kill; is the rope strong enough? elastic enough? not too long or too close to the ground?
Do we trust God the way a bungee-jumper trusts that cord--having the faith that He will hold us up when we jump out in faith? Do we have....bungee-cord faith?
Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego did. They told King Nebuchadnezzar "our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the burning fiery furnace, and he will deliver us out of thine hand, O king. BUT IF NOT, be it known unto thee, O king, that we will not serve thy gods, nor worship the golden image which thou hast set up." (Daniel 3:17,18)
They would trust God--even if He did not miraculously deliver them! (As Job said, "Though He slay me, yet will I trust in Him."13:15) There was no bargaining with God for these three friends; none of this "if you do this for me Lord, THEN..." Better than bungee-cord faith--absolute trust in God and His will. No "murmurings and disputings"--no complaining about their lot in life (we are captives in a foreign land--taken here against our will). They didn't argue with God, muttering, "Why me, Lord?
Abraham had that kind of faith. He believed that God's promises would be kept through Isaac even though he was asked to slay his son. (see Hebrews 11:19) Abraham didn't balk or try to understand first; he just obeyed. (Obedience to God's word comes before understanding; with God, "believing is seeing" and not the other way 'round") Notice that in Biblical examples of faith it was testing--even severe testing-- that proved how strong faith really was. We wouldn't think a bungee-jumper courageous if he plunged a mere four feet, would we?
Such a simple phrase "Trust and Obey"--a Sunday School song. And yet how true: there is no other way to be happy in Jesus.
Take the leap of faith--His strength will bear you up!
"Lord, increase our faith"
Deuteronomy 33:27 The eternal God is your refuge, and underneath are the everlasting arms.
Thank You Lord for Your everlasting arms underneath - always ready to catch us! Help each of us rest secure in this knowledge and take that leap of faith in obedience to You today & always. In the name of Jesus Christ.
Lori Fiechter
Daniel 3:17-18 If we are thrown into the blazing furnace, the God we serve is able to save us from it, and he will rescue us from your hand, O king. 18 But even if he does not, we want you to know, O king, that we will not serve your gods or worship the image of gold you have set up.
It looks dangerous--plunging from a dizzy height with only a stretchy cord as protection against death or serious injury: Bungee-jumping. Miscalculations can kill; is the rope strong enough? elastic enough? not too long or too close to the ground?
Do we trust God the way a bungee-jumper trusts that cord--having the faith that He will hold us up when we jump out in faith? Do we have....bungee-cord faith?
Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego did. They told King Nebuchadnezzar "our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the burning fiery furnace, and he will deliver us out of thine hand, O king. BUT IF NOT, be it known unto thee, O king, that we will not serve thy gods, nor worship the golden image which thou hast set up." (Daniel 3:17,18)
They would trust God--even if He did not miraculously deliver them! (As Job said, "Though He slay me, yet will I trust in Him."13:15) There was no bargaining with God for these three friends; none of this "if you do this for me Lord, THEN..." Better than bungee-cord faith--absolute trust in God and His will. No "murmurings and disputings"--no complaining about their lot in life (we are captives in a foreign land--taken here against our will). They didn't argue with God, muttering, "Why me, Lord?
Abraham had that kind of faith. He believed that God's promises would be kept through Isaac even though he was asked to slay his son. (see Hebrews 11:19) Abraham didn't balk or try to understand first; he just obeyed. (Obedience to God's word comes before understanding; with God, "believing is seeing" and not the other way 'round") Notice that in Biblical examples of faith it was testing--even severe testing-- that proved how strong faith really was. We wouldn't think a bungee-jumper courageous if he plunged a mere four feet, would we?
Such a simple phrase "Trust and Obey"--a Sunday School song. And yet how true: there is no other way to be happy in Jesus.
Take the leap of faith--His strength will bear you up!
"Lord, increase our faith"
Deuteronomy 33:27 The eternal God is your refuge, and underneath are the everlasting arms.
Thank You Lord for Your everlasting arms underneath - always ready to catch us! Help each of us rest secure in this knowledge and take that leap of faith in obedience to You today & always. In the name of Jesus Christ.
