It's For the Story and His Glory

Have you ever wondered why God lets us go through certain things instead of preventing us from having to deal with them?

Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego replied, “O Nebuchadnezzar, we do not need to defend ourselves before you.  If we are thrown into the blazing furnace, the God whom we serve is able to save us. He will rescue us from your power, Your Majesty. But even if he doesn’t, we want to make it clear to you, Your Majesty, that we will never serve your gods or worship the gold statue you have set up.” Nebuchadnezzar was so furious with Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego that his face became distorted with rage. He commanded that the furnace be heated seven times hotter than usual. Then he ordered some of the strongest men of his army to bind Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego and throw them into the blazing furnace. So they tied them up and threw them into the furnace, fully dressed in their pants, turbans, robes, and other garments. And because the king, in his anger, had demanded such a hot fire in the furnace, the flames killed the soldiers as they threw the three men in. So Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, securely tied, fell into the roaring flames. But suddenly, Nebuchadnezzar jumped up in amazement and exclaimed to his advisers, “Didn’t we tie up three men and throw them into the furnace?” “Yes, Your Majesty, we certainly did,” they replied. “Look!” Nebuchadnezzar shouted. “I see four men, unbound, walking around in the fire unharmed! And the fourth looks like a god!” Then Nebuchadnezzar came as close as he could to the door of the flaming furnace and shouted: “Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, servants of the Most High God, come out! Come here!” So Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego stepped out of the fire. Then the high officers, officials, governors, and advisers crowded around them and saw that the fire had not touched them. Not a hair on their heads was singed, and their clothing was not scorched. They didn’t even smell of smoke! Daniel 3:16-27 (New Living translation, NLT)

These three men were not prevented from being thrown in the furnace. They certainly did not want to go through the experience, but they did not cave in. And the result was an amazing testimony. What kind of story would it have made if the Lord had somehow made a way for them NOT to be thrown in the furnace? Instead of reading the powerful account of their supernatural protection in the midst of those extreme temperatures, we might be reading about how God changed the king’s heart and somehow kept them from the furnace. It would be a good story, but not a GREAT story. You see, sometimes we go through things instead of being spared from them simply because it will give us a greater story in order to give God greater glory.

Consider Daniel. It is a much bigger testimony to spend a night safely with the lions than to be spared from entering the lion’s den. And think about the Apostle Paul and his ministry partner Silas. The story is much more memorable and the glory given to God is much greater to hear of the prison shaking, the doors opening miraculously and their chains being broken supernaturally than to hear that they were spared from going to prison. We could go through example after example from the Bible of people that endured great trials and brought tremendous glory to God. of course, the greatest example is Jesus, who was not spared the pain of crucifixion but experienced death and hell for us.

Does God bring these hardships? No- the attacks come from the enemy. But, God can preserve us and give us the strength to go through them supernaturally so that the world can see the miraculous God we serve. Right now, many people are wondering why we haven’t seen the worldwide liberation we know God is bringing. Many are questioning why it has gone on for so long. God always knows the perfect time to intervene. Yes, it would be nice if certain experiences could be avoided- and sometimes they can be- but when we endure and persevere through things, God gets greater glory. And what a story we have to tell!