God Has not Promised to Spare Us from Trials
Sure would be nice if he did, wouldn’t it?
Most of us (all of us?) want to avoid pain and adversity at all costs. And we want God to shield us from those things too. This is why stories like the one of a family risking everything to protect someone else appeal to us. Deep down, we are convicted by such selflessness and willingness to embrace, rather than flee from, trials. Deep down, we know that our desire for God to exempt us from suffering is not right. That doesn’t mean we seek adversity, but rather that we accept it willingly when it comes.
The truth is that God has never made a promise to shield us from trials. Why would He when He did not exempt the Son from them? Why should we as servants expect a privilege our Master was not granted?
Indeed, the Bible speaks to our suffering far more than our comfort. And, in opposition to our desires, when we do experience long stretches of comfort, it likely means that we are not walking with God—we are failing to follow Him in obedience. Obeying God often means adversity, such as in this week’s story of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego. We want the story to read differently: that the three friends took a stand for God and as such, God sent balls of fire from heaven to consume their opponents and protect the trio.
But God never made a promise to do that. Sure, He could have, but that would not have been the best for the three friends. What was best for them was a trial.
God Has Promised to Be with Us in Trials
You read that right. It’s not just that we have to accept trials in our lives, but it is more than that; we need to come to appreciate trials for they are often a gift from God. We see this in this week’s session.
Notice the men’s perspective as they face the furnace:
If the God we serve exists, then he can rescue us from the furnace of blazing fire, and he can rescue us from the power of you, the king. But even if he does not rescue us… (Daniel 3:17-18 CSB)
Don’t read past that last phrase. “Even if he does not rescue us.” Let me translate: “Even if God chooses for us to experience a horrible death of being incinerated alive.” That is really what these men meant. They were ready to suffer with no expectation that God would rescue them. They knew He could, but that He would was a different story.
Imagine what it was like for them as they were marched toward the furnace. Every passing step was one fewer chance of rescue. At some point, they resigned themselves to the fact that God would not rescue them from the furnace. God had chosen Option B and the men likely braced themselves for a horrible death.
But then God showed off. God’s desire was not to rescue the men from the fire, but rather to rescue them through the fire. Imagine the amazement of the men as they found themselves standing alive in the fire, as they noticed they were no longer alone. A fourth man—who many believe is pre-incarnate Jesus—was there with them. God has not promised to spare us from trials, but He has promised to be present with us during them (see Matthew 28:20). This is what we see in this account.
Do you see how this trial was the better gift to the three friends? Being spared from the sentence of the furnace would have been great. Being rescued from the furnace would have been even greater. But being rescued in the furnace is the greatest of all. These men experienced God’s power and presence in a heart-racing way. What a gift!
God Will Draw Us to Jesus Through Trials
My goal is to know him and the power of his resurrection and the fellowship of his sufferings, being conformed to his death, (Philippians 3:10 CSB)
We love that first part. We want to experience resurrection power! But that part really isn’t possible without the second—or at least it is not as beautiful without it. Paul wanted to suffer like Christ suffered. Paul wanted to obey God and be used by Him to the point that he would be opposed. Just as Jesus had been opposed. Paul wanted to emulate Christ completely—and to do so included suffering.
That is another level of God’s kindness in our suffering. When we suffer rightly (not for sin), we are drawn closer to the One who suffered greatly on our behalf. We can better understand what He endured. We can better appreciate what He willingly experience on our behalf. And, in doing so, we too position ourselves, through our suffering, to be used by God for His glory.
Preschool Tip: For our youngest ones, you may want to focus on the brilliant picture of God being present with us at all times. Help them see that they are never alone—that in good times and not so good times, God is with them, caring for them and loving them. Let them find comfort and encouragement in this.
Kids Tip: For kids, especially tweens, be ready to talk more frankly about suffering and adversity. We don’t like to think of our kids suffering, but the reality is that many have and some may be in a time of great suffering this week. Follow the Spirit’s guidance on how to navigate a conversation with them about God having a purpose in our trials—that God has not promised to rescue us from trials, but to be with us in them and use them for His glory.
*Devo from Pastor Brian, from The Gospel Project.
#JesusJams for today!
---> And here's this week's story!!
Christ Connection: God was with Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego in the fire. Only He could rescue them. God rescues us too, through His Son, Jesus. Only Jesus can save us from our sin. Jesus’ sacrifice on the cross provided the way for us to be rescued from sin and have eternal life.
If you have a bible at your house, turn to Daniel 3. Read it with your family this week! If you don't have one, that's okay! CLICK HERE.
OPTION 1: Hot and Cold Game (AKA: Getting Warmer) Hide a small toy or plastic treasure somewhere in the room. Challenge the kids to find the item. Give clues as kids move about the room, saying “getting warmer” or “getting colder” depending on how close to, or far from, the object kids move. As kids get very near to finding the object, use hyperbole such as “you are burning up!” or “you are on fire!” to emphasize how close they are. SAY • Obviously, none of you actually caught fire or were burned by getting close to the hidden toy. In real life, fire can be very dangerous, and being on fire is often deadly. Today we will hear about three men who faced an extremely deadly fire. What do you think happened to them?
OPTION 2: Activity Packet!
Trueway Kids has some absolutely fantastic resources for those of us still doing church at home. One of those resources is a complete "Fiery Furnace" activity packet that even includes a printable Bible story book! CLICK HERE TO GET YOUR PRINTABLE
OPTION 3: Watch this episode of Superbook!