This past Sunday I preached a message that meant a great deal to me after what our family has faced these last, almost 5 months. In Daniel 3, Shadrach, Meschach, & Abednego were sent to the fiery furnace by King Nebuchadnezzar after they refused to bow down and worship the golden statue that the King ordered everyone to worship. A powerful part of this story was the fact that God did not keep them from entering the furnace but joined them in the furnace. God did the same thing for us when He sent His one and only Son into this fiery, furnace world of sin. Hebrews 2:17-18 tells us about what Jesus has done for us, “Therefore, it was necessary for him to be made in every respect like us, his brothers and sisters, so that he could be our merciful and faithful High Priest before God. Then he could offer a sacrifice that would take away the sins of the people. Since he himself has gone through suffering and testing, he is able to help us when we are being tested.” God does not promise to keep trouble from coming our way but He does promise and is always with us in the midst of the everything that we face! God is with us 24/7 through the presence of the Holy Spirit who makes His home in us.
God then tells us in Isaiah 41:10, “Don’t be afraid, for I am with you. Don’t be discouraged, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you. I will hold you up with my victorious right hand.” I have encouraged everyone in our congregation to join me in memorizing this powerful passage which is equally true for us as it was thousands of years ago. With God we can face anything. His presence makes all the difference. Timothy Keller, pastor of Redeemer Presbyterian Church in Manhattan, writes:
Christianity does not so much offer solutions to the problems of suffering, but rather provides the promise of a God who is completely present with us in suffering. Only Christians believe in a God who says, “Here I am alongside you. I have experienced the same suffering you have. I know what it is like.” No other religion even begins to offer that assurance. After the World Trade Center tragedy, between 600 and 800 new people began attending Redeemer. The sudden influx of people pressed the question, “What does your God have to offer me at a time like this?” I preached, “Christianity is the only faith that tells you that God lost a child in an act of violent injustice. Christianity is the only religion that tells you, therefore, God suffered as you have suffered.” (Tim Keller, “Preaching Amid Pluralism,” Leadership (Winter 2002), pp. 34-35)
A song that I have heard on the radio these past months at just the time when I needed it is entitled, “He Is With You.” I encourage you to take a few minutes and listen carefully to Mandisa share this powerful message of God’s presence. May it be a source of strength and comfort to you as it was to me.
Thank you for this… it came at a good time for me!