Celebrate Hope: Looking Back Stepping UpExemple

The Crucible If we are thrown into the blazing furnace, the God we serve is able to deliver us from it, and he will deliver us from Your Majesty’s hand. \- Daniel 3:17 I’m finally 21. When I was younger, I craved being at this point in my life. Every kid wants to grow older and be free from the oversight of parents and other adults, but now that I’m here, I feel unprepared. I watch the news, text my friends, and contend with the fact that I feel alone in a world that seems to be crumbling around me; and it fills me with dread. The heroes among the conquered Israelites could relate. While attempting to assimilate them into Babylonian culture, King Nebuchadnezzar built a massive idol and commanded all his subjects to worship it or face execution (Daniel 3). Young Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego refused. When Nebuchadnezzar confronted them, they responded by saying, “If we are thrown into the blazing furnace, the God whom we serve is able to save us. . . . But even if he doesn’t . . . we will never . . . worship the gold statue you have set up” (vv. 17–18). God protected these three from the furnace, which caused Nebuchadnezzar to accept the power of God. Despite facing death, the trio trusted God, and He used them to protect His people. In my life, there are plenty of fiery “furnaces”—instances that make me want to say “You know what, God, forget it.” But I refuse to reject God’s path because I know that there’s purpose in this pain. Knowing that, I can walk fearlessly into the future, certain that God is watching over me. —Anthony Jones What areas in your life do you struggle with handing over to the Lord? How could giving God control over those areas potentially improve them? Dear God, I ask that You keep me on the path You’ve drawn for my life. Give me the strength to walk it without doubt or fear.