Deeper: Day #3

So I just wrapped up Day #3 of the River Hills Deeper: New Testament Challenge, and I thought I would share something that stuck out to me. *you can download a reading guide here.

On Labor Day we had one of our fine Interns, Will, preach while Chip was on vacation. He spoke on the story of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego and the fiery furnace. Most everyone knows the general story. But the three men had this response to the king when threatened with death for not worshiping an image of gold.

"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 *read it in context here.

I say that to say that I've had this on my mind the past several weeks. I've questioned myself many times with the question, "Do I believe God is able to save me from whatever situation I am in?" I know this to be true, but sometimes...ok, most times, I find it hard to trust God and not rely on my own strength, which tends to fail me always.

I'm sure you're asking yourself what this has to do with the New Testament Challenge...

I came across a passage in Matthew when a leper comes to Jesus and says, "Lord, if you will, you can make me clean." Jesus reached out his hand, and touched him, saying, "I will, be clean."

These two passages are different in their own right but I find them similar. I think it's a matter of perspective. It's one thing to say, "God WILL save us." and then if it's not in His will, it's easy to be angry, disgruntled, or disappointed. But saying,"God is able to save us...and even if He doesn't we will still be obedient," is a completely different outlook, and one, if I might add, that is a lot more freeing.

It's quite humbling for me to say in my heart God is able, because I'm taking the control out of my hands and placing it in His. Sometimes there is nothing more gut-wrenching than knowing that you're not in control of whatever the situation may be. For instance, some people have a hard time riding in a car when they are not driving. Even with a professional driver, the lack of control could "drive" them crazy. But how do I change my heart about this and have an attitude of God is able, if God is willing...

Tonight I imagined being a leper, having no other options, completely desperate but completely believing that this Man is able to cleanse me.(Most of my situations aren't that desperate, so it is a great reminder for me.) As a broken man at the end of his rope, I would not demand healing but recognize the power and authority of Christ in my situation and state, "If you will, you can make me clean."

The hard truth about this is even if God doesn't, He is still God, He is still Holy and Just. Let that become our perspective.