The lions’ den and fiery furnace are allegories for
suffering. But why do we suffer? Suffering can be the consequences of our own
wrongdoing, God’s chastening, the devil’s effort to discourage us in our
Christian walk, or the consequences of bearing the name of Christ. Quite often,
the devil engineers problems in our lives to bring about discouragement, with
the hope that we’ll disobey God -- his arch enemy. Yet, through the same
suffering, God tests our faith and loyalty toward Him. There are other forms of
suffering that come with the environment we live in – a fallen world, in which
we become victims to all kinds of sicknesses. No matter the origin of our
suffering, we can have victory through Jesus Christ, our Savior.
Suffering is nothing new to the Church. Christians have been
persecuted for years, since the beginning of the Church to the present. In
recent years, in different parts of the world, Christians have suffered
tremendously at the hands of wicked men. They have been driven away from their
own homes, their properties confiscated, their children killed right before
their eyes, while others have faced beheadings. As Christians, how we respond
to suffering should be dictated by its cause.
For instance, God is
not honored by suffering that results from our own wrongdoing; in that
situation, we need to repent and make restitution where possible. Also,
disregarding the law of the land or being insubordinate to superiors or bosses
can incur punishment that can be referred to as suffering, but is that really
suffering, when you bring it on yourself? The Apostle Peter’s instructions are
clear: “If you suffer, it should not be as a murderer or thief or any other
kind of criminal, or even as a meddler” (1 Peter 4:15). Breaking the law has
consequences, so if we suffer for breaking the law we shouldn’t be looking for
sympathy. Breaking the law causes God’s name to be blasphemed, and brings shame
to the Church. Christians should be the most law-abiding citizens, because all
authority is set up by God our Father, and rebelling against such is rebelling
against God (see Romans 13:1-6).
On other occasions, suffering comes for the simple reason
that we bear the name of Christ and seek to please Him. This is the type of
suffering that pleases God. It usually comes in the form of persecution,
nevertheless, it is honorable, because it proves we are participating in
Christ’s suffering (see 1 Peter 4:13). Jesus Himself said, “In this world you
will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world” (John 16:33 NIV).
Again He encouraged the disciples, “If they persecuted me, they will persecute
you also … They will treat you this way because of my name, for they do not
know the One who sent me” (John 15:20-21). The apostle Paul reminds us,
“Everyone who wants to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted” (2
Timothy 3:12 NIV).
Our attitude towards persecution should be joy: joy that
we’ve been counted worthy to suffer for the name of our Lord, and slated for a
reward in heaven. “Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and
falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me. Rejoice and be glad,
because great is your reward in heaven” (Matthew 5:11-12). In addition, James
recommends joy in suffering because the process leads to maturity in Christ
(see James 1:1-4).
This is the response God expects of us when we are
persecuted: “Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who
curse you, pray for those who mistreat you” (Luke 6:27-28 NIV). That response
would challenge observers and bring glory to God. In the Beatitudes, Jesus
admonished his disciples, “Let your light shine before men, that they may see
your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven” (Matthew 5:16 NIV).
Before we can be victorious in the lion’s den or fiery
furnace in a God-honoring manner, we need to have a few things settled in our
minds:
God’s power, ability,
and sovereignty – God is all-powerful, and therefore able to deliver us
from all trials and difficulties. However, He is also sovereign, and might not
deliver us from every impending or ongoing suffering every time. He does things
as He sees fit, differently to different situations at different times. When
threatened with the fiery furnace for not worshiping the king’s golden image,
the three Jewish young men, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, told the king,
Nebuchadnezzar, “We do not need to defend ourselves before you in this matter.
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 will not serve your gods or worship the image of gold you have set up”
(Daniel 3:16-18 NIV).
Our position in
Christ – We are loved by God our Father, and after giving us His Son, the
Scripture tells us, there is nothing else that we need that He wouldn’t do for
us. So when He doesn’t fix our problems right away, it is for a good reason.
After all, we are reminded that, “In all things God works for the good of those
who love Him, who have been called according to his purpose” (Romans 8:28 NIV).
We are in an on-going
battle – Our enemies-the enemies of God - are like their father the devil.
They hate us with “cruel hatred” (from the hymn-A mighty Fortress), and will
stop at nothing until they’ve caused havoc. They don’t know how to do good;
they consistently plan evil. We need to always remember that we are in an
on-going battle, and remain in a perpetual state of readiness (see Ephesians
6:11-18).
When we find ourselves in the lions’ den or fiery furnace,
let us arm ourselves with the mindset that our Father is none other than the
loving, all-powerful, and sovereign God. He’ll equip us and grant us the grace
to do His will. That mindset should encourage us and make us hopeful that when
our suffering is over, we will come out on the victory side, because God’s will
and purpose for our lives and the Church will have been accomplished for His
honor and glory.
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