A few weeks ago, his text included the phrase from Daniel 3.18, "And if not." The context is when Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego refused to bow before the image of Nebuchadnezzar and faced the punishment of being cast into a fiery furnace.
But if not, be it known to you, O king, that we will not serve your gods or worship the golden image that you have set up.
The British sent a telegram back to London from Dunkirk with those three words, immediately recognizable as being from Daniel 3, and prompting a fleet of boats crossing to Dunkirk and evacuating over 300,000 soldiers.
"And if not" is really cool to hear about, decades after what occurred in Dunkirk, but a little harder when you're living the story and don't know how it will end. May I be able to say that boldly and honestly! (The current circumstance in which I want to say it boldly and honestly revolves around Little Guy's speech & hearing.)
Another mom encouraged me with these words: "God has the power to deliver us from the furnace (and to heal our children) but even if he chooses not to we should continue to trust in him anyway (v17,18). ... Also, God did not expect them to face their trials on their own, he was there walking with them in the furnace."
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Last week we were at the church we attend when in Wisconsin, and the pastor was preaching on Jesus calming the storm:
"If you are facing a diagnosis, Jesus has a mission. He is building his kingdom."
What deep comfort! May his kingdom come in Little Guy's life! And in our lives as we walk this journey!
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Our own pastor a few weeks ago asserted that "the prayer, 'Your kingdom come, Your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven,' is as radical a prayer as we can pray. Yet, no real Christian would pray any other prayer, for we know that He knows what is best."
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May His kingdom come. May His will be done.
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