Recently God has given me the opportunity to go into shops, where women sell their bodies into prostitution, and build relationships with the women and be a light. It might sound scary to some of you, and at first I was a little scared too. But the day before I went to the shops for the first time, God reminded me of a short yet completely powerful story in the book of Daniel. It is the story of Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego.
If you are not familiar with this passage, I have put the story below. If you do know the story, you can skip to the next part and finish reading this post or you can read it again to have your memory refreshed. Personally, I could read it a million times and never get tired of it...
[ In Daniel chapter 3 King Nebuchadnezzar (how would you like that for a name) built a huge idol. It was 90 feet high and 9 feet wide and made of gold. He summoned for all the people of the land to come to the dedication of the idol and he commanded that whenever the people heard the sound of music playing that they immediately fall down and worship the idol and anyone who does not will be thrown into a fiery hot furnace. When the people heard the sound of the music "every nation and men of every language fell down and worshiped the image of gold that King Nebuchadnezzar had set up (v. 7)."
A little later in the story some people came and told on a few guys saying "Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego pay no attention to you, O King. They neither serve your Gods nor worship the image of gold you have set up." (v. 12)
This made King Nebuchadnezzar furious and he summoned the 3 men before him and commanded that next time, when they hear the sound of the music playing, that they immediately fall down and worship the idol or he will throw them into the furnace.
And what these brave, courageous, faith-filled, obedient, servant men reply to King Nebuchadnezzar is radical. This is what they say: "O Nebuchadnezzar, 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 save us from it, and He will rescue us from your hand, O king. But even if He does not, we want you to know, O king, that we will not serve your gods or worship the image of gold you have set up." (v. 16-18)
Of course you can image how outraged Nebuchadnezzar is now. He was so angry that he commanded that the furnace be heated 7 times hotter than usual and he asked his strongest soldiers in his army to tie the men up and throw them into the furnace. The furnace was so hot that the soldiers actually were killed by the flames as they threw Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego into the furnace.
Suddenly King Nebuchadnezzar leaped to his feet in astonishment and said "weren't there 3 men that we tied up and threw into the fire?" (v. 24) "Look! I see 4 men walking around in fire, unbound and unharmed and the fourth looks like the a son of the gods." (v. 25)
King Nebuchadnezzar proceeded to approach the furnace and command the men to come out of the furnace. Whenever they walked out of the furnace "everyone saw that the fire had not harmed their bodies, nor was a hair of their heads singed; their robes were not scorched, and there was no smell of fire on them." (v. 27)
I love this next part...
Then King Nebuchadnezzar said "praise be to the God of Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego, who has sent His angel and rescued His servants!" (v. 28) "Therefore I decree that the people of any nation or language who say anything against the God of Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego be cut into pieces and their houses be turned into piles of rubble, for no other god can save in this way." (v. 29)]
I love this story. These men were fearless and they knew that God was real and good and sovereign and saves. They trusted Him with their very lives and held nothing back. They loved God so much that they did not care what the cost was of displaying that love for all to see. Even to the point of death! They had so much faith in God that He rewarded their faith by saving their lives and displaying His glory for all to see. Even wicked Nebuchadnezzar believed the God that they worshiped was worthy.
Whenever I remembered this story, and the faith these men had in God and the love that God displayed towards them, it changed something inside of me. Whenever I really meditated on this passage I wanted what these men had. To be a fearless woman of God. To do whatever He asks of me and know that He takes care of me wherever I go.
So now when I am going into these shops to visit the prostitutes, there is no fear inside of me because I serve a God who does incredible miracles. God can set these women free and change their lives. And if God is using me to be a light in these dark places, to show the women that they are worthy and valuable and made in the image of Him, then I am more than delighted to be a part of this.
I have actually been filled with joy in these places when I should be filled with despair. But joy overcomes despair and the joy that the Lord has given to me can be displayed in even the darkest of places. These woman never feel joy because of their circumstances. But if I can come and be a carrier of joy, it can eventually change everything. These women could start to see something different that is present in my life that they want too. And if I choose to live in fear, it could hinder me from being in these places and displaying the glory of God and telling of the miracles that He can do. I cannot live in fear. There is too much at stake. The power of Christ is huge! And I choose to believe that just like Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego did.
I love being a part of the Lord's journey for my life. Thanks for reading and for being a part of this with me! I am so grateful for all the support and love in my life. All glory to God! Bless you all!
*Shane and Shane "Burn Us Up" is a wonderful song that depicts Daniel 3 and the story of Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego.
