My dad suffered from grand-mal seizures; he would go into full body muscle spasms and shake furiously on the ground. It was a scary thing to watch and sometimes I would ask God why He allowed such a thing to happen to my dad; a God fearing Christian. However, my dad never doubted God; although some claimed a lack of faith kept him from being healed. My dad would always stand firm with his response, “My God can take these seizures; if He wants to. But if He wants to use them for His glory, then so be it. He will heal me one day when I get home.” God never healed dad of his seizures condition here on Earth; I believe have seen a glimpse of why He chose not to: So many lives have been touched (and are touched) by my dad’s unwavering faith. Dad chose to follow Jesus even if it meant going through the darkest valleys; he knew he was never alone!
16Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-Nego answered and said to the king, "O Nebuchadnezzar, we have no need to answer you in this matter.17If that is the case, our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the burning fiery furnace, and He will deliver us from your hand, O king.18But if not, let it be known to you, O king, that we do not serve your gods, nor will we worship the gold image which you have set up." Daniel 3:16-18 (NKJV)
Shadrach, Meshack, and Abed-Nego found themselves faced with what appeared to be certain death. They could have abandoned their stance and begged for their lives; turning their back on God’s way. Instead they stood firm in faith and told the King that God could chose to save them and be glorified or He could chose to let them die and be glorified; either way they would not relinquish their faith. They chose to face the dark valley with God instead of their own way without Him. They knew the probable outcome of their story, but it did not shake their faith and love for God.
Are you going through a dark valley? Are you bruised and broken looking for answers? As a believer in Christ we know that all things work together for good in our lives; fulfilling God’s purpose (Rom. 8:28 ). Allow God to use you in whatever circumstances you are in; then you will lay hold on the peace of God that passes all understanding (Phil. 4:7). God will use those dark valleys to grow you and bring others to Him; He will be glorified! Remember, no matter what we face here on Earth, Heavens glories are much, much greater (Rom. 8:18 ).
