our God whom we serve is able

Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego answered and said to the king, “O Nebuchadnezzar, we have no need to answer you in this matter. If this be so, our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the burning fiery furnace, and he will deliver us out of your hand, O king. But if not, be it known to you, O king, that we will not serve your gods or worship the golden image that you have set up.” Daniel 3:16-18

David and I were talking recently about a friend of mine and Lee's who David knew because he and his wife came over for dinner a few times. This friend has chosen to walk away from the faith. (We are fervently praying God overwhelms him with His irrisistible grace and our friend is drawn back to Him soon.) David asked what happened in our friend's life to make him change his mind about God and His goodness. "Well," I said, "he is in a season of suffering. And as Dad says, when people suffer they either worship God or walk away from Him." David replied, "Was this like the first time he's ever suffered? Because even I know it's better to worship than walk away."

As much as we try to shield our kids from hard situations, they still see and know. We can't hide hospital stays. We can't hide meltdowns. And I think that can be a good thing.

In the book of Daniel, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego believed God would save them from the fiery furnace. But they also believed that if God didn't, that didn't mean He couldn't, and they still wouldn't worship another god.

David has seen us live through times when God didn't answer our prayers the way we hoped He would. He has felt sorrow and disappointment right along with us. He has also seen us choose to worship God even during those times. And I pray it gives him strength to face future challenges with that same continued hope in God.

<<First Name>>, join me in prayer this morning.

God, the example we read in the book of Daniel about Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego reminds us that You are able. You work in our lives in ways we don't see and can't even imagine. And all that You do works out for our good and conforms us to the image of Your Son, even when it seems to us like You are not answering our prayers. Help _______ to have faith like Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego to boldly believe in Your abilities AND to faithfully submit to Your plan. And help me to set an example of faith in You even during hard times. In Jesus's name we pray, amen.

With Your Child:
Has there been a time you prayed with your child and God didn't answer the way he/she hoped? If it's recent enough to talk about again, remind them about God's purpose in our lives and how even when it feels like the answer to our prayer is no, God is still at work. You can read this passage together and talk about how brave Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego were to tell the king they wouldn't worship another god even if the true God didn't save them. Talk about how we can show that same trust when we pray to God as well.

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