September 15 - Daniel 1-3: Even If He Doesn't

"As for you, go your way. Your way is My way. Never despair. Your soul will experience pain that will feel like death. But hope in this: the worst turmoil opens the door to the richest gift. No matter how deep the ditch into which you fall, I will raise you up, into unspeakable joy. That's the point of this letter." 66 LL 

I'm clinging to that truth. We leave today for a wedding in California, and I seem to be processing everything - even Daniel - through the lens of these circumstances. I have very mixed emotions about this celebration.

It's the remarriage of a friend who has fallen into a deep ditch. He claims to know the Lord, yet for more than two years, we've watched him make very unwise decisions. The repercussions of his decisions have been tragic.

In his own guilt and shame, he believes that God cannot forgive him for all that he's done. And on the surface, he says that he doesn't want to hear about the forgiveness Jesus offers to him, yet he keeps coming back to us knowing he's going to hear the loving truth.

While I certainly don't condone his behavior, we're going to his wedding because we love him, and we're convinced that God is calling us to be the hands and feet of Jesus in this situation. It's God's lovingkindness that causes each of us to repent (Romans 2:4). I'm praying that happens in this case.

As we begin the book of Daniel, I'm taking courage from the "soul-survival stories" that "nourish a commitment to integrity and perseverance...The stories keep us alert to what is at stake day by day, hour by hour." (Eugene Peterson, Introduction to Daniel)

There are so many lives at stake in this one terrible situation. I literally feel like we're in a battle with the enemy for our friend's soul, and the story of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego in the fiery furnace encourages me to believe God regardless of what I see or experience:

"If you throw us in the fire, the God we serve can rescue us from your roaring furnace and anything else you might cook up, O king. But even if he doesn't it wouldn't make a bit of difference, O king." (3:17)

"The three men believed that God could save them from anything, but their loyalty wasn't contingent on their rescue." Eugene Peterson, Conversations, pg. 1345

No matter what happened, they trusted God. They knew He was capable of rescuing them, but they didn't demand rescue as proof of His love for them. In the face of imminent death, they boldly said that their death "wouldn't make a bit of difference." Wow.

I don't think I'm totally there yet. I'm begging God to save our friend and his family. I know God can change his heart and mind; He can open our friend's eyes and ears. But will He do it? I don't know.

Daniel reminds me that no matter what happens in California - or after the wedding - God is still God and worthy of my worship. As tragic as the situation feels to me, my trust and obedience are not dependent on what God chooses to do in this situation.

And Daniel reminds me of just who this God is that I worship:

Blessed be the name of God, forever and ever. He knows all, does all: He changes the seasons and guides history, he raises up kings and also brings them down, he provides both intelligence and discernment, he opens up the depths, tells secrets, sees in the dark - light spills out of him! God of all my ancestors, all thanks! all praise! (2:20-22)

Almighty God, I pray for our friend, that You who provides both intelligence and discernment will open the door to the richest gift - intimate fellowship with You. I ask You, Lord, to raise this friend up into unspeakable joy. And I pray for myself, that even if you don't rescue him, I will trust in Your sovereignty, goodness and grace.