Four young men, Jewish captives in a heathen land. Considered wise and knowledgeable, they stood out among their peers, and were trained to enter the king’s royal service. Excelling in their training and gifted by God, they earned both position and respect. But three of them also became the Jews of whom it was said, “There are some Jews – Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego – whom you have put in charge of the province of Babylon. They pay no attention to you, Your Majesty. They refuse to serve your gods and do not worship the gold statue you have set up.” And in a furious rage, the king had them thrown into a blazing furnace for their defiance. But it wasn’t death that greeted the young men. Instead, an angel of God met them and protected them, even from the smell of smoke. The fourth young man, Daniel, also rose to prominence, but another king unwittingly signed into law a decree that prohibited Daniel’s prayers to God. Unwavering in his worship of God, Daniel was arrested and dumped into a den of hungry lions. Daniel too found God’s presence in the protection of an angel, and his malicious accusers were given the fate intended for Daniel.
Paul and Silas, stripped and severely beaten with wooden rods, were then imprisoned. But this time, God revealed Himself in an earthquake, and the prison was shaken to its foundation. Old Testament Jews sang of God’s presence as they acknowledged Him as their refuge and their strength, always ready to help in times of trouble. David too knew His closeness. The Lord is close to all who call on Him, yes, to all who call on Him in truth. David knew too that he could never escape from God’s Spirit; he could never get away from His presence. If I go up to heaven, you are there; if I go down to the grave, you are there. If I ride the wings of the morning, if I dwell by the farthest oceans, even there your hand will guide me, and your strength will support me. I could ask the darkness to hide me and the light around me to become night – but even in darkness I cannot hide from you. God’s promise to us, as believers, is simply stated in the words, “I will never fail you. I will never abandon you.”
The dismal, unrelenting darkness of the ancient prison finds that same darkness in the tragedies of our lives. The flames of failure or loss burn deep into our spirits, leaving us with the ruins of shame or loneliness, parched for a forgotten security, fear continually stirring the embers. The prowling lions of bitterness, self-centeredness, or misunderstanding threaten to consume us. Where is God? He is close. He is always ready to help. He wants me to call. His hand will guide. He supports. The darkness wraps itself around me, but I am still seen, for I cannot hide from Him. And God’s promise echos from generation to generation, “I will never fail you. I will never abandon you.”
– Bev
(Related Bible reading: Psalm 145:8-18)
