A Trophy of His Grace

 "They saw that the fire had not harmed their bodies, nor was a hair of their head singed, their robes were not scorched, and there was no smell of fire on them." Daniel 3:27 

 I marvel when I see or hear people who have gone through extreme adversity standing strong and confident. I often think; "What would I do in that same situation, and would I be that strong? We see many in the scriptures who went through extreme adversity and yet came out stronger and more confident than before.  This is because the Lord uses extreme conditions to mature us. He molds us through the heat of adversity…and then He uses us as a trophy of His grace!

David, Daniel, Joseph, Esther, the Disciples, Paul, and so many more serve as an example of bravery, courage and supernatural strength during extreme adversity.  Three men that stood strong during a difficult time, determined not to bend the knee to the pressure to conform were Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego. These godly young men were thrown in to the fiery furnace, heated 7 times hotter all because they would not bow down to an idol. They didn't ask for this treatment, nor did they rebel against it...instead they trusted that the Lord would deliver them out or take them up.  Daniel 3:17-18; “If it be so, 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, let it be known to you, O king, that we are not going to serve your gods or worship the golden image that you have set up."  Notice these young men trusted their God completely and knew that He would give them strength either way…to endure the heat or take them home. As we read of their time in the fire, we see that Jesus was right there with them, walking with them and encouraging them....and it was seen by others! There are many who watch and observe us as we walk through fiery trials. It is here that we shine like a golden trophy! It is here that He strengthens us and makes us rise above the fray. It is here that He reveals His plans, His presence, His purpose and His peace and we are not burned.

 If you are in a hot time right now...trust Jesus...invite Him into the trial with you and you will not be burned. Be encouraged today that JESUS has a plan and a purpose for your trials. He is molding you into His very image. NO trial is ever wasted. He uses our times of adversity to draw out our faith, to reveal His presence, to make us like Him, and to display us as a trophy of His grace! A testimony to all who look on and see that we belong to Him and He to us! Remember, Jesus uses all things in our lives to bring HIm glory. Let Him work in your life today...for it's only when the fire is extremely hot that the dross rises to the surface and is skimmed off...revealing the reflection of Jesus. Let Him use you today as a trophy of His great Grace!