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It Will Be Okay

They were exiles, a captured people of the mighty Babylonian empire. Yet, these three intelligent young men became leaders in their captive land and were entrusted to govern and serve King Nebuchadnezzar. They had won his personal favor, and through their ability and honest integrity, they were found to be trustworthy of all the empire had to give. But one day they had an opportunity to compromise their values, to just give into the majority rule, to swear allegiance and throw their trust into a golden image. So they were brought before the King, now completely mad and angry, "Do it or die! I'll throw you in the burning furnace!" But they remained unnerved and calm. They just repeated their former stance, and concluded that even if their God would let them die a fiery death, that would be okay, just as it would be if they would come out alive. They had faith that even in the worst of days, even with a tragic, senseless death to face, it would be okay. . .

Is it possible that sometimes our growth takes place in times of exile, when we feel we are the captured ones, forgotten? Or is it when we think we are not in the best circumstance, when we feel we have lost our voice, when we think no one notices our hard work? Yet, even in a foreign place, even if I'm captive, even if I am the only one who endures and does not compromise, it would be okay. Eyes of faith can look beyond the reality around me and see God's grace, that no matter who or what I face today, it will be okay. . .


". . . our God whom we serve is able to deliver us
from the furnace of blazing fire;
and He will deliver us out of your hand, O King. But even if He does not . . .
we are not going to serve your gods or worship the golden image that you have set up."
(Daniel 3:17-18)

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