TRIALS – Others Are Watching…What Do They See?
The other morning, the girls and I had one of those unplanned – but GOD-planned – long talks about a variety of topics. All of it stemmed from our Bible time and although I can’t remember all that we discussed, I do know one of the verses that our conversation led to was Jeremiah 29:11 – “For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the LORD, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end.”
Regarding this verse, we talked about the purpose…the “expected end” of trials that God allows in our lives. We readily agreed that, if a trial produces anything but Christ-likeness in us, God’s purpose was not fulfilled. And, when this is the case, the fault is not God’s but rather ours – for not submitting and thus allowing Him to conform us more to His image.
Yesterday morning, while reading in Daniel, I couldn’t help but make some observations that went right along with our discussion earlier this week:
In the verse below, King Nebuchadnezzar is relaying his observations while looking into the fiery furnace in which the three Hebrew men were just cast…
“He answered and said, Lo, I see four men loose, walking in the midst of the fire, and they have no hurt; and the form of the fourth is like the Son of God.” Daniel 3:25
The phrase that really stood out to me was – “Lo, I see”. When God allows us to experience fiery trials (and He will), what do others see?
First, King Nebuchadnezzar saw Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego loosed from being bound by his “most mighty men” (Daniel 3:20).
Do others see us set free from the world’s attempts to bind us or have we allowed the fire to produce bondage of anger, vengeance, bitterness, etc to our soul? Remember, God allows trials to grow us. But Satan delights in seeing us resist growth by failing to submit to God…and thus being bound!
The king also saw the men “walking in the midst of the fire”.
Do others see us still walking – still serving – still going on for the Lord? Or, do they witness us sitting and sulking?
Thirdly, the king observed “no hurt” in the men.
I will not begin to pretend that trials do not hurt. But, have we placed our hurts on display for the whole world to see…or have we placed them at the feet of Jesus? Our pastor preached an excellent message a good while back on this subject of being hurt. Time and time again, we will all experience various wounds…we are in a battle, right? But, are we allowing our hurts to mend, or are we constantly nursing them…rubbing them…picking at them as we would a scab that never has a chance to heal?
The last observation of the king was the Lord’s presence in the lives of these men.
When we are going through a valley, is Christ’s presence evident in our lives? Do we constantly resist the trial or do we accept His grace that is sufficient for the trial?
Now, even though that was the last thing that the king himself saw, the observations do not stop there. Rather, as the king has the men come forth out of the fire, we see that the audience has grown tremendously:
“And the princes, governors, and captains, and the king’s counsellers, being gathered together, saw these men, upon whose bodies the fire had no power, nor was an hair of their head singed, neither were their coats changed, nor the smell of fire had passed on them.” Daniel 3:27
On the other side of a trial, what do others see in us?
DO THEY SEE GOD’S POWER? – “upon whose bodies the fire had no power”
One purpose of trials is that God may be glorified. Paul said it well in the following verse:
“And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.” II Corinthians 12:9
DO THEY SEE GOD’S PROTECTION? – “nor was an hair of their head singed”
Yes, God does allow trials in our lives and yes, these trials often result in scars. But, we can be assured that nothing comes to us that hasn’t first passed through His hands. Luke 12:7 reminds us of God’s love for His own:
“But even the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Fear not therefore: ye are of more value than many sparrows.”
After a trial has come to an end, is God’s hand of protection evident, or do we bear self-inflicted wounds of trying to fight our own battles?
DO THEY SEE OUR PURPOSE? – “neither were their coats changed”
On the other side of the fire, do others observe a Christian who has crumbled and compromised, or did we allow the trial to strengthen our resolve to continue on for the Lord?
“And now, behold, I go bound in the spirit unto Jerusalem, not knowing the things that shall befall me there: Save that the Holy Ghost witnesseth in every city, saying that bonds and afflictions abide me. But none of these things move me, neither count I my life dear unto myself, so that I might finish my course with joy, and the ministry, which I have received of the Lord Jesus, to testify the gospel of the grace of God.” Acts 20:22-24
And finally, not only what do others see, but what do they smell?
DO THEY SMELL OUR PERFUME? – “nor the smell of fire had passed on them”
On the other side of a fiery trial, do we have a stench or a sweetness about us? If attitudes had an odor, would others say ours was rotten or refreshing?
Let’s be careful to remember that people are watching us all the time. Whether it be this lost world, backslidden believers, baby Christians, or other brothers and sisters in Christ, what are they observing in us? It’s fairly easy to display the above positive qualities when things are going well. But, when the going gets tough? Now that’s a different story, isn’t it?
I’m very, very thankful that, no matter what God may allow in our lives, His GRACE is ours for the taking. The question is, will we take it?
“For the LORD God is a sun and shield: the LORD will give grace and glory: no good thing will he withhold from them that walk uprightly.” Psalm 84:11 AMEN!!