Daniel 3--a pretty well known chapter amongst those who grew up in church. It chronicles the story of three Israelites: Shadrach Meshach and Abednego (or if you're Veggie Tales: Rack, Shack, and Benny.) Nebuchadnezzar, king of Babylon, creates a statue that he commands everyone to bow before, but these three refuse. So the King threatens throw them into a furnace, still they refuse. Now, normally we focus on the part of the story where they are thrown into the flames yet they are unharmed. In fact, the King sees not three, but four men in the flames! But Powell focused on another section.
17 If we are thrown into the blazing furnace, the God we serve is able to deliver us from it, and he will deliver us[a] from Your Majesty’s hand. 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.”
It's great when things go the way we plan. It's wonderful when God answers our prayers. But what if He doesn't? What then? Powell asserted that there are five responses we tend to have as believers.
1. Abandon Ship
When the going get's tuff, some get up and go. I personally have seen this too many times to count, and it breaks my heart. It's usually couched in language like, "If God is so loving then____________" or, "I can't believe in a God who would __________." In fact, I have made similar comments in my Christian life. I've gotten mad because I thought God should have or shouldn't have done something. But oh dear wounded heart! In those dark moments God didn't forsake you. He isn't petty or unjust or uncaring. He counts our tears! He is Elroy, the God who sees. He knows you better than you know yourself and He does love you. The WORST thing you could do for yourself would be to walk away. Stay! Throw a tantrum if you must. Be honest with Him, but stay.
2. Question Your Faith
Another response is to place blame on yourself. You are able to hold on to the truth that God is good, so if the blame isn't on Him, perhaps it's you. If only you had more faith. If only you'd prayed more. If only you were a "better Christian." The truth is yes, sometimes our sin--our mistakes, shortcomings, selfishness--hurts other people. But we must be careful in thinking that if we're "good enough" then God will do what we ask. As Christians, our whole theology hinges on the point that we aren't good enough--no one is perfect! And if we associate lack of desired outcome in prayer with lack of faith, our theology can quickly warp into a work based religion. First of all, no one can arm twist God to do something they want by doing good acts; and secondly, who are we to think we "deserve" it? And for that matter, look at what God has done for us! Look at how much He has given above an beyond "deserve."
3. Ignore the Pain
Then there is the "don't talk about it" response. We don't have a good answer for why that child died, or why this person is sick, or why I still don't have a job so we don't talk about it. We sweep it under the rug. We only acknowledge the answered prayers. But this is SO dangerous. One we're avoiding the issue, and nobody is fooled when we do this. Two, Christianity begins to take on the hue of a summer vacation commercial--everyone smiling and laughing and living it up. Yes, there are good times. Yes there are deep pools of Joy that we can tap into, even this side of heaven. BUT we live in a broken world. A world that is hurting and dark and the last thing anybody needs is for us to shy away from it, ignore it, or avoid it. What we all truly want and need is authenticity. "I don't know" is an acceptable answer. As a friend of mine once taught me, "Sometimes it's okay to not be okay." Look at David. Look at Mary and Martha. These are giants in the faith so to speak. Yet they were able to speak honestly with God and others about disappointment.
4. Cynicism.
This is where we start to think, "Well God is in control and He's going to do what He's going to do and He knows what I want and need, so why bother talking to Him about it?" We don't pray because we think it's ineffective, or we're afraid of being disappointed... Yeah. Definitely been there. But not praying doesn't solve our problems does it? Disappointment still comes. And without communicating with Him, God begins to feel even more distant. Friends, Satan would like nothing more than for you to feel cut off and alone. To feel that God doesn't have your back. That what you say doesn't matter. But it does! Honesty with the Lord invites intimacy. It allows us to better see ourselves. It can lead to healing and empathy and peace. WARNING: It might take a while. But don't give up!
5. Deepen our Faith
The final response is to choose to allow the disappointment to deepen your faith. And though it may not feel like it at the time, it is a choice we can make. It's the choice of believing that God is a good Father--parent's don't give their children everything they ask for (or should at least! Because if they do what happens? That kid turns into a spoiled brat!) Good parents look out for the welfare of their children. Good parents don't abandon their children when the going gets tough. They protect and nurture--even though most of the sacrifices they make will go unnoticed for many years, if they are ever discovered at all! Sometimes they are misunderstood, sometimes they are undervalued, yet they continue to love. Why? Because they are good parents. God is GOOD my friends. So good.
Laura Story wrote a song (based on her life btw) called Blessings. I highly recommend you look it up if you don't know it. Hillary Scott has a song called Thy Will Be Done. Again, listen to the lyrics. C.S. Lewis wrote a book called The Screwtape Letters which is a fictional correspondence between two demons. Uncle Screwtape is mentoring his nephew Wormwood. In one chapter He writes, “Our cause is never more in danger than when a human, no longer desiring, but still intending, to do our Enemy's will, looks round upon a universe from which every trace of Him seems to have vanished, and asks why he has been forsaken, and still obeys.”
Powell ended his sermon with a beautiful illustration from the movie version of Chronicles of Narnia. At the climax, Peter and his brother are standing with those faithful to Aslan before the army of the White Witch. A hawk flies down and reports to Peter that her army vastly outnumbers their own. Peter turns to the centaur on his left and asks a vital question, "Are you with me?" to which the centaur replies, "to the death."
Jesus asks the same question. "In this life you will have trouble. There will be times when I seem far from you. Times when you are confused and disheartened. The Tempter's Lies will sometimes ring louder (and truer) than Truth. You will face disappointment. But I have overcome the world. I see the path. I know the 'why' and the 'how.' So even though the enemy is strong, and his army vast, and the way seems unsure, are you with me?"
May we choose to respond,
"to the death."
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