I Think I Smell Smoke

This devotional was originally written in August 2008.  Since we are studying Turning Points in Daniel's life, the subject of his three friends and one of their major turning points was part of our study in Sunday School yesterday.

I'm a little choked up this morning.  I think it's my allergies acting up and I think I know why.

I have been in a fiery furnace lately.  Actually, I feel a little ashamed to call it a fiery furnace when I think of Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah's real fiery furnace (better known as Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego.)

All of us have our difficulties and trials and sometimes they feel a lot like a fiery furnace.  I was reading Daniel 3 again this morning and was reminded of how Hannaniah, Mishael, and Azariah came through their fiery furnace unscathed, unscorched, and not even the smell of smoke on them.  I am concerned about how I am handling my fiery furnace.

"So Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego came out of the fire, and the satraps, prefects, governors, and royal advisers crowded around them.  They saw that the fire had not harmed their bodies, nor was a hair of their head singed; their robes were not scorched, and there was no smell of fire on them." (Daniel 3:27-28)

You might have an idea why I am all choked up, but just in case you didn't get it, I am allergic to smoke.  I am very convicted that my faith and my trust in my God (the same God these three young Jewish boys worshiped), has been very small in my fiery furnace.  Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah believed that our God is able to save and rescue.  Most of you will remember the story - God did not deliver them from the furnace, but He delivered them through it.  Either way, He is able and He will do it.  In Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah's words:  "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, 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." (Daniel 3:17-18)

PRAYER:  Lord, forgive us for our unbelief, our lack of trust.  You are able to deliver.  You will help us through our fiery furnace even if you do not deliver us from it.  Thank You and praise You that you are trustworthy.

Serving Him,
Kay Martin

(Today, I do not remember what fiery furnace I was going through in August 2008, but God obviously delivered me from it or through it.  This time next year, maybe you will not be able to remember the fiery furnace you are experiencing right now.)