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Let God Have Control
Tim Savage16Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego replied, “O Nebuchadnezzar, we do not need to defend ourselves before you. 17If we are thrown into the blazing furnace, the God whom we serve is able to save us. He will rescue us from your power, Your Majesty. 18But even if he doesn’t, we want to make it clear to you, Your Majesty, that we will never serve your gods or worship the gold statue you have set up.”
25“Look!” Nebuchadnezzar shouted. “I see four men, unbound, walking around in the fire unharmed! And the fourth looks like a god!” Daniel 3
This is a big weekend for many of us here at New Hope. Our music team kicks off the release of their newest album tonight, it’s New Hope’s 19th anniversary with special services and my movie “Under the Blood-Red Sun” premieres tomorrow. All of these events are opportunities to bring glory to God, but the enemy would like nothing more than to turn them in to fiery train wrecks where relationships are ripped apart. There is a lot of pressure and tired people under stress can sometimes make bad decisions.
Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego’s lives were at stake. They could save themselves by bowing down to the statue or die in a furnace heated to 10 times the normal temperature. Imagine the frenzy and chaos. They had faith in their God and wouldn’t compromise their worship. They believed that God would save them, but whether He did or He didn’t, they would trust Him for His will.
Shadrach and company were in control of the situation. All they could control was the way that they personally handled the situation, then they gave control over to God. The concert, the anniversary services, the movie premiere, they are all under God’s control, not mine. Whether He determines to have us walk unbound in the fiery furnace or we are reduced to ash by it’s flames, it doesn’t matter, because God is in control and we only want what Jesus wants for us. Our part is how we chose to serve Him. Today, I choose to relinquish control to Him, to ask for His blessing, mercy and grace. I choose to give Him the glory and not compromise my faith, whether there is success or failure, because ultimately if it is not of God, then it will not matter.
Dear Heavenly Father,
I give You control of my life. I release my worry and anxiety to You. I ask that You protect our relationships with one another, but mostly our relationship with You. Please cover these events with Your grace, love and mercy – we give You all the glory.
In Jesus name,
Amen
