We See The Fire, But Where's The Smoke?

      WE SEE THE FIRE, BUT WHERE'S THE SMOKE?

*Daniel 3* (The 3 Hebrew boys and Me!)

 One of the fondest things that I remember as a child, was when I would go to Sunday School on Sunday mornings. I loved to listen to the wonderful bible stories that my teacher would read to us, while showing us lots of colorful pictures. I remember the story of 3 young men, who had been cast into a fiery furnace because they would not bow down to worship the king's gods; and while in the fire they were met by an angel of the Lord, bringing the total to 4 men in the fire! We learned that although they were in the fire, they remained unharmed, without even the hint of smoke on them. The story ends with the King being amazed at what he sees and ultimately promotes them within the Kingdom as well as worship their God! Talk about a page turner!! I absolutely love this story because God is all over it!! Some of His greatest work ever witnessed by men!!

If you have ever had science, you are probably well aware, that when there is a fire; at least two things should be happening. Something is being consumed and as a result there should be "smoke!"....Well, this raises a few questions! Why didn't these young men burn up? why did the angel of the Lord meet them?  why wasn't there smoke when they were removed from the fire? and how does their story relate to me? ....... So glad, you asked!

If you are a child of God, who have gone through the fire, and you're still here! Say Amen!! Because this means that you have had a "fiery furnace" encounter!  There will be times, when you are faced with standing up for the God that you serve and as a result, you just may find yourself hitting some turbulence that you never asked for! Your response will be key in how you go through the fire and how you come out of it!  Your response, as a child of God, must be to trust God, count it all joy, and allow him to walk you into your victory! Your trials will land you in a fiery furnace from time to time and if you are in the will of God, you will find yourself face to face with your savior while there! Notice, that God did allow them to throw the three friends into the furnace! Why would he do that? Well, it was because he knew that he would be there waiting. No matter what you are going through, you can trust that God is waiting to supply you with strength, joy, and faith! People will wonder, how you're able to smile, hold your head up, and encourage others while going through a fire! The answer? because God is controlling the "effects" of the fire! What are the "effects?".....Well, its the things that will cause you to be consumed! Sin, doubt, anger, no prayer, no Word, no faith, and no trust! Remember! If nothing is consumed, there can be "No Smoke!" The 3 Hebrew boys knew where their faith  lied. Their faith was in Jehovah Shamah (God is with me!)
So, when life throws you into a fiery furnace, don't fear because God will meet you there! How do I know this? Because although 4 men were in the furnace, only 3 came out!! This is major because, it means that Jesus remains in the furnace of life, ready to walk you through, if you will only trust him! People will watch for signs of "smoke" but there won't be any! Because Jesus has already consumed (absorbed) it all!
Thank you Jesus! I will not fear what life sends my way, nor will I fear the furnace of life, because you, Lord, have made me "fireproof" and although they may see the fire! there won't be any smoke....because in you; I won't be consumed! Amen!

Now unto Him, who is able to do immeasureably more than we ask or imagine, according to His power that is at work with us.

                                                                ~Epheshians 3:20 NIV