The Prophetic Word - Day 106: God’s processes don’t have to “make sense.”

“By faith Abraham, when he was called [by God], obeyed by going to a place which he was to receive as an inheritance; and he went, not knowing where he was going.”

‭‭Hebrews‬ ‭11‬:‭8‬ ‭AMP‬‬

If you are familiar with the story of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, you are also familiar with the fact that they ended up in a fiery furnace as they would not bow to the golden image of King Nebuchadnezzar. Indeed, God’s process for them went right through a literal fiery trial. But, they weren’t in that fiery trial alone; there was a “fourth man” with them.

“Then King Nebuchadnezzar was astonished; and he rose in haste and spoke, saying to his counselors, “Did we not cast three men bound into the midst of the fire?” They answered and said to the king, “True, O king.” “Look!” he answered, “I see four men loose, walking in the midst of the fire; and they are not hurt, and the form of the fourth is like the Son of God.””

‭‭Daniel‬ ‭3‬:‭24‬-‭25‬ ‭NKJV‬‬

Yes, the Lord made them impervious to the effects of the fire and was walking through it with them!

But, let’s not leave this story without looking at what the Hebrew 3 said when facing the king (before they were thrown into the fiery furnace):

“Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-Nego answered and said to the king, “O Nebuchadnezzar, we have no need to answer you in this matter. If that is the case, our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the burning fiery furnace, and He will deliver us from your hand, O king. But if not, let it be known to you, O king, that we do not serve your gods, nor will we worship the gold image which you have set up.””

‭‭Daniel‬ ‭3‬:‭16‬-‭18‬ ‭NKJV‬‬

It is important to note the attitude they had as they went into the fiery furnace; they were going to remain faithful to God no matter where the process took them, no matter the outcome.

Daniel, the friend of the Hebrew 3, found that his process landed him on the business end of very hungry lions.

You see, King Darius was tricked into signing something that would send anyone into the lions’ den who worshipped any other god but himself for thirty days. Of course, Daniel continued his three-times-a-day praying, knowing where it would land him.

King Darius spent a fitful night after having thrown Daniel to his certain death. But then…

“Then the king arose very early in the morning and went in haste to the den of lions. And when he came to the den, he cried out with a lamenting voice to Daniel. The king spoke, saying to Daniel, “Daniel, servant of the living God, has your God, whom you serve continually, been able to deliver you from the lions?” Then Daniel said to the king, “O king, live forever! My God sent His angel and shut the lions’ mouths, so that they have not hurt me, because I was found innocent before Him; and also, O king, I have done no wrong before you.” Now the king was exceedingly glad for him, and commanded that they should take Daniel up out of the den. So Daniel was taken up out of the den, and no injury whatever was found on him, because he believed in his God.”

‭‭Daniel‬ ‭6‬:‭19‬-‭23‬ ‭NKJV‬‬

The king found that Daniel was not injured. God had sent His angel to shut the lions’ mouths.

Now, in both these cases—the Hebrew children in the fiery furnace and Daniel in the lions’ den—the outcome was deliverance and promotion. But, their process certainly didn’t “make sense” when they were in the fiery furnace or in the den of lions.

As well, it never would have made sense (from an earthly perspective) if they had perished in the fire or lions’ den. But, consider this portion from Hebrews 11:

“Others were tortured, not accepting deliverance, that they might obtain a better resurrection. Still others had trial of mockings and scourgings, yes, and of chains and imprisonment. They were stoned, they were sawn in two, were tempted, were slain with the sword. They wandered about in sheepskins and goatskins, being destitute, afflicted, tormented— of whom the world was not worthy. They wandered in deserts and mountains, in dens and caves of the earth.”

‭‭Hebrews‬ ‭11‬:‭35b‬-‭38‬ ‭NKJV‬‬

Now, who would sign-up for this? Only those who trust God’s process for them…no matter where it leads. Think about it, isn’t that what brought Jesus to Golgotha?

In our opening scripture we see that Abraham went out on God’s call having no idea where he would end up! But, the process led him to his inheritance.

This week we’ve been discussing the need to trust God‘s processes for us. And—because we trust the One orchestrating our process—it doesn’t have to make sense in terms of our expectations. But, if we stay in it to win it, knowing God is with us when we are in His process, we will receive our own inheritance. And, believe me, no, believe the word of God, it will all be worth it!

Peace to you.

Jesus is coming! Get ready for Him!

#ThePropheticWord