...the God we serve is able to save ...but even if he does not,...
Daniel 3:17-18
The fiery battle of infertility rages. You feel the heat of infertility every time the calendar pages turn. You feel the tears stinging your eyes when you see that youve started your period again. You hear the disappointment in your husbands voice when he tells you its okay that it didnt work again. After the deluge of tears, you begin to pray. You know you have to turn your heart toward God. You know you want to walk in His will, but youre just not sure what that will is. Is the latest test result Gods way of saying pregnancy is simply not going to happen for you? Is He telling you that He has greater plans for you than birthing a biological child or is He gathering angels around Him and saying, Look! Shes been believing for a baby for so long, and its almost time. Ill give her the desires of her heart if shell just hang on a little longer. How do we pray for Gods will when we dont know what Gods will is for our lives?
One beautiful example is found in a dirty, hot, stinky furnace surrounded by dirty, hot, stinky men.
Travel back in time with me via the book of Daniel, chapter 3. There is so much the infertile heart can learn here. Taking center stage in this story are Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego, the best and the brightest of their day. They are actually described as young men without any physical defect, handsome, showing aptitude for every kind of learning, well informed, quick to understand, and qualified to serve in the king's palace (Daniel 1:4). ( I know what youre thinking. Where we these guys when we were on the dating scene, right? Oh, thats right. You married a guy like this. Me too!) These were not your run of the mill guys. They were amazing! Handsome! Brilliant! Understanding! Doomed!
Doomed?
Not only were Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego perfect physical and intellectual specimens, they loved God with all their hearts and were not willing to bow their knee to any other god. The king of their day built a statue and commanded that everyone bow in worship to this unseeing, unknowing pile of gold. They refused. Point blank. No discussion, no debate. They served God faithfully when it was easy. They served Him faithfully when it was not so easy. Realize, too, that standing for your beliefs brought more consequences for them than it does for us. We may be ridiculed or ostracized from social events. They were condemned to death.
Standing there, hearing the crackling of the fire, smelling the stench of the ashes and feeling the prickling of the heat on their faces, Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego knew this was their crowning moment. This would be the event that defined their existence. Imagine the intensity of that moment. They knew what was happening. They understood the gravity of their predicament --remember they were young men...well informed, quick to understand. They knew that the rest of their lives hinged on what they said and did in the next few moments. There was no time for discussion. There was no time to set up meetings and decide what they wanted to do. The sentence for this type of defiance was carried out immediately. The furnace was boiling, the soldiers had their grips on the young mens arms. What did they do?
Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego replied to the king, "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." (Daniel 3:16-18)
Even with all their intelligence, even with the fiery devotion their hearts held toward God, and even though they placed their lives on the line to prove it, God did not reveal His will to Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego when they stood with righteous defiance before the king. For whatever reason, God chose to keep the secret of His will for the time. Look how they responded. The God we serve is able to save us and will rescue us. But even if He does not, we serve Him and not you!
Have you ever made a bold proclamation of how you know God is doing something, and it just didnt happen the way you thought? This is the month! I know Im pregnant. My faith is so strong, and I know this is it. God has finally given us a baby! You make a bold stand of faith, only to be embarrassed and devastated when your period starts. Perhaps youve told friends and family that in spite of previous losses, youre believing God to allow this baby to survive. You boldly speak of the goodness of God, and how so many people are praying and you just know this baby will be fine. Then comes the horrible news that this baby didnt make it either. What do you do in those defining moments?
Have you failed God in this display of faith? Did Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego fail God? The three young men boldly stated the God we serve is able to save us, and He will rescue from your hand...But even if he does not.... They knew He could. They didnt know if He would. They simply looked beyond the present circumstances, not knowing what Gods will for them was--perish in the flames or find an unseen escape route. Either way, they vowed to serve Him.
When you pray for a baby, why not pray the same way? God, I come to you asking for a baby. I know that You and You alone are the giver the life. Please, God, let this be the month we conceive. But even if it doesnt happen, Ill serve You anyway. Remember that God invites you to bring your requests to Him (Philippians 4:6). Ask Him for a baby. Thats okay! But remember to pray that His will is done in your life. Its okay to say you dont know the exact will of God. That doesnt show a lack of faith. In fact, I believe it is just the opposite. God, I dont know Your plans for me, but I know they are good. My desire is for a baby. Im asking You for a baby, but even more, Im asking for Your will. If not this month, maybe next month. If not at all, then please sustain me. Sounds a lot like God can save us from the fires, but if not, well serve Him anyway.
Are these kind of prayers easy to pray? Not on your life. But remember, God rescued these Hebrew boys from what should have been a certain death. He walked with them in the midst of the fires and brought them through to the amazement of everyone around. Expect that Hell do the same for you.