When the World Burns

I don’t know what Esther felt when she stood before the King’s door, knowing going in could cost her her life. I don’t know what she felt, exactly, when she said:

“…if I perish, I perish” – Esther 4:16

I don’t know what Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego were feeling facing the fire, standing strong in the face of their darkest moments. I don’t know what was going through the depths of their hearts as they stated:

“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 majesty’s hand. But, even if He doesn’t, we want you to know, that we will not serve your gods…” – Daniel 3: 17-18

I don’t know what Daniel felt being in the Lions’ den for the night. I don’t know exactly how Joseph felt in the pit, being sold, or being in prison. I don’t exactly know the courage or boldness in the heart of Paul in Rome.

As I face a great uncertainty, the possibility of my world falling apart around me; the one & only thing I have poured my life into possibly taken away, decimated by a faulty and evil government…and I honestly don’t know if their hearts were completely free of the fear I feel at the moment.

What I do know is that God showed their strength of character in Scripture. Their courage, their boldness.

When their world burned, they had immense faith. They stood their ground. They trusted God, even unto death.

Tonight, though, I really relate more to Elijah after his greatest victory: alone, frightened, and unsure:

“Elijah was afraid and ran for his life… ‘I have had enough Lord…take my life'” – 1 Kings 19:3,4

No, I’m not suicidal. But, I feel the heaviness, the fear, the anxiety of your world burning. Everything you know, slipping away. All your hard work, destroyed…

I know that God understands me, too. I know He must, because even Christ asked for a hardship to pass Him, though ultimately submitting to God’s will – salvation of humanity:

“Then He said to them, ‘My soul is overwhelmed with sorrow to the point of death. Stay here and keep watch with me.’ Going a little farther, He fell with his face to the ground and prayed, ‘My Father, if it is possible, may this cup be taken from me. Yet not as I will, but as you will.'” – Matthew 26:38-39

Lucky for me, there’s more to that Elijah story.
He listened.
He waited.
He cried out.
He listened.
God spoke to him & refreshed him.
Just as Jesus later did in the garden, Elijah submitted to God’s will.

So, as I face uncertainty that could culminate in my whole world burning, I know that in this time, I can cry out.
But, then, I must wait.
I must listen.
I must allow God to speak & refresh me.
I must submit to God’s will, even if it looks nothing like I ever imagined.

So, when the world burns, it’s important we remember that God is still in control. God is always in control. Even when we submit to Him, our world may falter, may waver, will be hard. But, He is still in control.

When the world burns, remember:

“Thy Will Be Done”