Protective Love

From the time a child is born, adults are aware that protecting is an essential expression of love. When we, God´s children trust Him, He will protect us. I learned this in so many beautiful ways. On my journey through life I experienced His protection during my studies, at my workplaces, while travelling or driving a car.. But this week another dimension opened up for me. I was confronted with something that was definitely not right. And I had to decide and declare the truth. It was not easy, but a pretty clear choice from the beginning. I could not bow to this. Even if I would loose my job. As I was thinking about how to communicate things, I ended up reading the story of Daniel´s friends - Shadrach, Meshach and Abed-Nego.

They were living in a culture of idol worship, immoral practices, but they stayed firm and loyal to their God. They were confronted, face to face with the king Nebuchadnezar, who commanded them to bow down before the golden statue. They refused with words: ,, King Nebuchadnezar, we do not need to defend ourselves before you in this matter. If we are thrown into the blazing furnace, the God we serve is able to deliver us from it, and He will deliver us from your hand. But even if He does not, we want you to know, that we will not serve your gods or worship the image of gold you have set up.“ (Daniel 3, 16-18) They made this statement based on their decision and experience they had with God long before this happened. It was easy for them to respond this way, because their hearts and minds were alligned with God´s perfect will. They basically said, that they trusted their God more than anything else in the world. King´s reaction? He was furious! And ordered the furnace to be heated seven times hotter than usual and commanded some of the strongest soldiers to throw them into it. The flames were so hot, that they killed the soldiers, but the three young men, who were firmly tied, fell into the blazing furnace. Do you see? The evil acts will turn against the ones making the preparations and will not harm the righteous ones.

And then the king freaked out! Because he saw four men walking around in the fire, unbound and the forth looked like a son of gods – in his own words. So obviously this extra person was there to protect them! I personally do think that this person was Jesus Himself – the Son of God – who came to accompany and protect the three friends. And I realised that it is not a bad place to be in a fire! You can move freely, no one can harm you anymore. In fire you are really free and Jesus is there right next to you! What an experience! When they came out, all people witnessed, that the fire had not harmed their bodies, nor was a hair of ther heads singed, their robes were not scorched, and there was no smell of fire on them. I am sure they came out stronger , more confident and filled with His protective Love. They brought Glory to their God, and at the end they were promoted.

I love the fact that while being in fire, God´s Son appeared in a visible way, so everyone could see Him. When we do not compromise, when we refuse to bow and agree with the wicked, we actually open up an opportunity for God to show up in a way that everybody would see Him. Is it not the ultimate purpose of our lives? To let Him be glorified, let Him be revealed to all the world? And you can be sure, you will be protected all the way. If you trust Him completely. The same with me. I felt the Lord´s presence in the fire, He was holding my hand the whole time. And I came out without any harm and the result is far beyond what I could expect. But the best thing is that God was revealed as my Strength, my loving and protecting Father.