Even if the bad things happen

“The truth of God's love is not that He allows bad things to happen, it's his promise that he will be there with us--when they do.” ~ Janette Oke, Love Comes Softly

Sometimes, the miracle we pray for never comes. Sometimes, the dream we have just ends.

What do we do then? 

One of my favorite Old Testament stories comes from Daniel 3, the story of Shadrach, Meshach and Abendengo and the fiery furnace, as it's often called.

For those unaware, these men amd others were expected to bow before King Nebuchadnezzar and his image of gold he had commissioned. They refused.

He called them in person and demanded they answer why. To which they responded [paraphrasing, of course] "we don't have to defend ourselves to you. God will save us."

My favorite part, however, is in verse 18:

"But even if He does not, we want you to know Your Majesty, that we will not serve your gods or worship the image of gold you have set up." Daniel 3:18 NIV, underline added

But even if. Oof. 

In that moment, it seemed all hope was lost. These men were likely going to die. Everyone knew it. Maybe they even thought so, we don't know. 

But we know that they were not going to allow a little thing like that [their likely demise] falter their belief in God. 

I'm a fairly practical person and I know I'd be thinking, "we're probably not getting out of this one alive." I like to think I wouldn't have given in to the king's demands to bow. But I also don't think I'd be anticipating walking out the other side.

Did they have those doubts too? Again, I don't know. It doesn't say. Maybe that's why they said it. Maybe it was to give their friends something to cling to if they were gone. To ensure they found and held their faith.

I do know I've prayed for things I didn't see happen. Said prayers that haven't come true on this side of heaven. And I often return to this verse in those moments. I need to remind myself, even in the uncertainty and facing down the devil or whatever that horrible thing is, God is in control. 

Even if the world might say otherwise. Even if the situation is dire. Even if things don't turn out like you pray.

Even if, there is a plan. Even if, there is a reason. 

And even if not here, then there.

Those guys did walk out of the furnace. Because God walked into it with them. And that is the biggest point in the story.

They weren't alone in the fire. And you aren't either. You may have to walk into the furnace. But you're not walking alone.

Your prayer may not get answered as you want. But you're not facing those answers alone. Things may be dire. But God is with you.

God is with you through the hard and the good. God is with you when life turns sideways and the dreams you thought you had come to an end.

God is with you when you mourn. When your heart is breaking and you think you can't take anymore, God is there, asking you to give it over to the one who can hold the weight of the world.

God is also with you when you praise. When you are erupting in joy, God wants to celebrate with you.

When the dreams you had come to crashing end, God is there to help you pick up the pieces and build a new one.

Reminds me of another of my favorite verses from Isaiah 43:19

"See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland." Isaiah 43:19 NIV

Sometimes you come out a little worse for the wear. And sometimes you don't see the beauty of the struggles you've faced. 

But I promise, you never face them alone.

Sometimes, they seem to heavy a burden to bear. But God is there, arms open, waiting to take the load. Waiting to help you walk forward, out of the flames. 

"...When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned; the flames will not set you ablaze." Isaiah 43:2b NIV