Transformed – teen devotion – October 27, 2024
God is able to save his people.
Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego replied to him, “King 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 deliver us from it, and he will deliver us from Your Majesty’s hand. But even if he does not, we want you to know, Your Majesty, that we will not serve your gods or worship the image of gold you have set up.”
Daniel 3:16-18
Will You Fit in or Follow?
What are you going to wear today? How will you style your hair? Which extracurricular activities are you going to join? Which classes did you decide to take? These decisions in life, whether big or small, are probably decisions that are affected, at least in part, by what friends are doing. For many aspects of life, that’s completely normal and just fine. Everyone likes to fit in with the group, and friends who share your interests and tastes are a blessing from God.
But as a child of God, there are also going to be situations in life where you won’t be able to fit in with the group, no matter how desperately you want to. Your desire to live as a Christian will at times conflict with the sad realities of a sinful world populated by sinful people. The temptation will always be there to compromise your beliefs and values to fit in.
This is not a new struggle for children of God. Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego were forced to fit in or follow God. Choosing God would cost them their lives! Many Lutheran churches this time of year are celebrating the Lutheran Reformation. Martin Luther faced the same choice: fit in with a corrupted church or choose the truth of God’s Word.
Where can a child of God find the strength to stand out from the crowd in situations like these? Perspective comes from remembering who God is and what he has done for you. The almighty God is powerful enough to rescue you, even from death itself, should he choose to do so. That’s what he did for the three men in today’s reading. But you know that even if God chooses not to do that on a particular occasion, he remains the God who adopts you into his family where you’re always welcome and always fit in no matter what. Why is that the case? Because your sins are always forgiven in Jesus. Your mistakes are always wiped away through his sacrifice. Your flaws and failings are forgotten forever. Especially when facing the choice to fit in or follow God, remember … you are a child of God. Hold onto that status, even when it means standing out and not fitting in!
Prayer:
Dear Jesus, give me the strength to stand up when I need to, the courage to live my faith when so many do not, and the wisdom to connect your promises to my own life. Amen.
