One year ago, I shared a post that Pierce wrote. He was getting "news" and needed it to be good. Before I shared his status, I added to the end of my post that we were standing on 1 Peter 2:24. We were standing on a Scripture that tells of Jesus' stripes and the healing that each one of them has promised us. I scoffed (I told y'all this was going to be very raw) at my "on this day" posts this morning and thought to myself, "What do I have to stand on now?"
Just like my sweet husband does when I spout of at the mouth without thinking (love you, shugga), the Holy Spirit gently reminded me of something. He reminded me of my favorite Bible story to teach. I feel certain that each one of you reading this know the story of three guys with strange names (the true reason I love teaching this story is hearing my kiddos butchering these guys' names) that were tossed into a fiery furnace. Yeah?
The story of is found in Daniel 3 ..
Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego answered King Nebuchadnezzar, “Your threat means nothing to us. If you throw us in the fire, the God we serve is able to rescue us from your roaring furnace and anything else you might cook up, O king. But even if He doesn’t, it wouldn’t make a bit of difference, O king.
There are two phrases in this passage that gripped me when I read it during RockKids a few months ago.
1) He is able. Take a breathe and let that sink in. He. Is. Able. In Daniel 3, we read about three men who are about to be tied up and tossed into flames. They were expected to not only die, but die in a way that I would definitely not consider appealing. And yet, they still trusted that He was able.
2) Even if He didn't, it wouldn't make a bit of difference [He is still good]. Ah, the word "good." It seems to follow me. The Bible does say that goodness and mercy follow us, so I guess it is fitting (heh heh). I will never, ever forget the day that word changed forever for me. I was at Jashawn's funeral and when Rev. Jenkins got up and said a phrase to the congregation that I have heard hundreds of times from various pulpits. He said the phrase, "God is good." and, per usual, the congregation responded with "all the time." The next six words out of his mouth truly changed my life. The six words were - "and He is good RIGHT NOW." He is always good. In every moment, in every season, in moments of pure bliss and in the deep pit of grief - He is our good, good Father.
I trusted on this day one year ago that He was able. I not only trusted, I was standing on it. Standing on something is true, pure trust. Have you ever stood on a chair? (Just fyi, chair standing at work is a no-no.) If the chair goes, you go. Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego trusted that God was able to save them, but they also trusted His plan enough to know that if He did not save them, He was still God and (most importantly) that He is always good.
We are so often told that God is good, but there are moments that I truly have to wonder WHERE His goodness is. Where is His goodness in the midst of financial hardships? Where is His goodness when you're looking at your dearest friend on their death bed? Where is His goodness in our broken places?
I'm starting to discover where His goodness is. It's inside of me. Yes, friend, His goodness is inside of you, too. Because His goodness lies in our ability to trust. In our willingness to stand firm in our faith that His love for us is steadfast and will never fail.
Those three pals in Judges 3 could have taken the easy way out. They could have bowed down. On days when we don't see His goodness, we can take the easy way out too. Bowing down in surrender to sadness and hopelessness would sure be much easier some days than looking deep inside of me for His goodness. I can't do that though, because just like Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, I have to trust that even if He doesn't rescue me like MY plans say He should, He is still God, He is still good and He will ALWAYS be able.
Be blessed, y'all.
Hannah
Be blessed, y'all.
Hannah
