How to Live with Terror
Daniel 3:1-30 Sept. 23, 2001
Americans are much more worried today about becoming a victim of terrorism than they were after the Oklahoma City bombing six years ago. The current poll shows 60% of Americans saying they are either "very" or "somewhat" worried that they or someone in their family will become a victim, compared with 42% who expressed that view in April 1995, shortly after the Oklahoma City bombing. Last year, at the fifth anniversary of that bombing, only 24% said they were worried.
One reason for the increased worry may be that a majority of Americans, 55%, see Tuesday’s attacks as the beginning of a sustained terrorist campaign
"that will continue for several weeks." The rest of Americans either disagree with that view (29%), or say they are unsure (16%).
This worry apparently influences how Americans might behave in the future. Half of the public (49%) predicts that, as a consequence of the terrorist
attacks, Americans will permanently change the way they live, while 45% disagree. On a personal level, 36% of Americans admit that they will change some aspect of their personal lives or activities to avoid being a victim of terrorism, but 61% say they will not make any changes. Nevertheless, when asked about their fear of flying, 48% of Americans admitted that the
terrorist attacks make them less willing to fly on airplanes.
Folks are still reeling from the shock of the attack on America. O Lord, have mercy and teach us to live through this terror.
I believe today we need to reflect and process what went on in America, with the Terrorist Attack of Sept.11. What has happened is not unusual, all over the world there are terrorist attacks, in some form or another. It may not happen dramatically with planes crashing into office towers, but daily with increasing frequency that no statistician can ever document, terror of all sorts fills up our lives. See it in the many women who are battered in their own homes, kids who gang up on the weaker kid such as a Reena Virk, the verbal assaults that take place in churches, in schools, in workplace, a taunting look, an angry gesture, a drunk driver that could change an entire victim’s family life, the bad driver, now people of Arabic descent too cannot feel safe in their own homes and shops here in North America. What’s happened with the World Trade Center and the Pentagon, underscores for us that living in this world is not heaven, it is a world that is filled with terror and fear. It is not a world that is safe. It is fraught with dangers, life can be snuffed out in a moment. It reminds we’re all vulnerable and we need to feel secure as people.
Life does not permit very many second chances. There seems to unending threats in world gone mad that lives by the motto “you hurt me and I will hurt you back 77 times over” in the mold of biblical Lamech (Gen.4:24). The goal it seems, is to inflict harm in ways that will hurt more and more. O when will it ever end… Today as you look around in Vancouver, homes with burglar alarms, schools with earthquake drills, cars with all kinds of safety devices that cannot prevent accidents, children abducted, no one feels safe. So terror is a reality, it fills up our TV screens, and it comes without invitation into our lives. We cannot deny it. The world is not Disneyland. It shakes us up! It rocks our comfort zones, the foundations of what we have built our lives upon, the delusions of safety, as we see images of cowardly attack on our TV screens. And yes. what went on there in US must be denounced but no matter how much we noise we make about it, terror will still be around.
How can we live with it? We can sense the feelings of security of North Americans are threatened, with beefed-up security measures in airports, long line-ups at the border crossings, we’re facing a future that has the words “terror” or “terrorists” gripping our lives. Many say the world will never be the same again. And they are right with the the first murder as Cain slew Abel, the world was never the same! "Our guys would just like to get home and hug and kiss our wives and kids and know things are safe with them," Jeff Kent said. But can we ever know things are safe again?
How can terror be right here where we live and breathe? Maybe you say it won’t happen here in beautiful BC, but can you really be sure? But now reality hit and it hit hard as thousands of lives are lost! Terror could come right here to Canada, FLQ crisis in Quebec, numerous home invasions in Vancouver over the past few years, numerous children who disappear from the streets, end up dead and assaulted. About 2 years ago in Calgary, there was a bomb threat at a downtown office in Calgary. I recall that a friend of said she was working away on the 6th floor of that office building. However the Reform party’s office was on the 5th floor. Over the years they have made enemies. One of them made a bomb threat. Yup somebody wanted to blow up the building where the Reform guys made their HQ. The crazy thing was - No one was allowed to leave the building. Scary, huh? You think they would evacuate. But no! Every floor was searched but there was no bomb. Is this an uncertain world? You go to work you expect ordinary work day and lo behold a bomb threat and you could be blown to smithereens.
In Atlanta, millions go to work but on Thurs. (July 29, 1999) some experienced uncertainty of this world. Expect to come home, make it home but on that day nine office workers shot dead, 12 wounded and wife and two children of the killer were also found dead in their suburban world. Mark Barton 44 year old former chemist, turned day trader was reported upset about investment losses and marital problems. Gambled on an uncertain world and loss and carried out one of America’s deadliest office massacres.
In Vancouver, there have been rumors of serial killer working the streets on the East side for years now. Now, we hear of the terrorist attack on the World Trade Center and the Pentagon, planes were hijacked and on a suicide mission thousands killed.
Is there anyone here who can’t look up and see how circumstances change like the wind? How can you or I deal with terror? How can you or I now lead a “normal life” after the stunning events of Tuesday Sept.11, 2001?
This leads me to think about the story in Daniel 3. Let’s read it.
Do you think that these young fellas in story S, M and A know the feeling of living in a world of terror. King Nebuchadnezzer terrorized these guys. V.13 “furious with rage” and anyone who defied him will end up in a fiery death, thrown into the blazing furnace. In Daniel 1 we are told that at one time they had their own way of life, living in Judah but all of sudden things change, they were taken captive by King Nebu, Babylonian king and were shipped off to a foreign land. They had Jewish names Hananiah, Mishael and Azariah but they lost their Jewish names. Now known as SMA. Taught BSL - Babylonian language and literature. In Daniel 2 we find Daniel and SMA were threatened with execution no one was able to interpret the King’s dream. Things were going on fine - suddenly death threat. When God gave Daniel the interpretation of dream, Daniel and SMA placed in high positions. I invite u to think about their lives, were their lives any different than ours? They too face changing circumstances, one minute they are minding own business and next death threats, and then FIRE. Real life is just like, is it not? Up and down, life and death. But now in US it is down more than up, more death than life.
And then in Daniel 3 - King made image of gold 90 ft. high and 9 ft. wide and summoned all his top guys for the dedication of the image. Read v.4-6. Music starts fall down worship. SMA did not, were found out, King “furious with rage”. If they were not appointed to high positions, they in all likelihood won’t be there and now blazing furnace awaits them. Once again circumstances change.
1. Circumstances Change.
Anyone here feel circumstances of life change? Ask around, see the broken homes, when all of a sudden terrorists come and could very well hijack the plane you are on, the marriage partner opts out of marriage, lost jobs, found incurable disease and a whole host of things can happen. This weekend u may have come here to escape troubling circumstances, you want some answers, something to hold on to in a world that can change in a flash. Perhaps some here feelings of insecurity are rising up. I wonder what are your struggling with? What has changed? Look around and see, in real life everyday circumstances can change, circumstances are fickle. Therefore, you should not trust them to find meaning in life. One minute you are ok next you’re not. Shall we let circumstances of life manage the core of our being, our existence. Shall we let the changing tide of our lives become the center of what we live for and strive for?
Many let it rule, don’t they? If only I billion dollars, I would tithe, only I were married to a supermodel or that hunk then life is great, if only I were healed of the disease. That’ll solve my problem with God If only you show this sign, I believe. Many prayers are offered to God, but it is only in crisis that God is of any use. What are they for? But to change circumstance. We should know circumstances are fickle. They change like the wind.
Let’s face it, we are not gods who can change and control circumstances to fit our liking, there are things that are beyond our control. Some bad guys want to inflict harm throw you into a blazing furnace, you cannot stop them…
SMA face circumstance the terrorist act of King Nebu – death by the blazing furnace (v.15) (mentioned at least eight times, word furnace and fire even a few more times). King was so angry he ordered it be heated 7 times hotter (perfectly blazing hot) than usual (v.19). Today, the stakes are high, Bin Ladin types are angry, Americans are angry, furious with rage, what good can come out of that? Drives them to more violence and terror? So we see, King violent rage threw SMA into blazing furnace. What will they do? Bow down to terror?
Let terorist king have his way, let the circumstance of their life dictate how they act and feel , though it was no fault of theirs that they were there, but will they let their circumstance rule their lives… They did not because they know circumstances change. I appeal to you on God’s Word not to let your environment, circumstances, what happens in this world, or threats, terror determine your response to what’s important. Know what you will die for, know what you will give up your life for, and live for it.
Because if we allow circumstances to dictate how we live, we will live in terror and never be able to rebound. There will be no joy in a life like that. If we always let what happens in life dictate to us what my response should be, I guarantee life is gonna be scary and nothing can comfort and bring back feelings of security. Circumstances change, so let’s not trust them to unwrap what life is all about. At best circumstances are fickle. SM and A’s response is an example for us how to respond to terror.
2. Faith Helps.
Their answer to that circumstance is v.16-18 - unwraps their trust in a sovereign God.
Because God is able, they will trust Him rather than let circumstances rule.
Their faith is not based on the moment. Rather their moments are based on a sovereign mighty God who chooses to do what He will. Terror may come but they will trust God and let that faith sustain them through the terror. They rather let God be God then let King Nebu or the fiery death change what they know is true in their heart of hearts that God can be trusted with their lives! What a profound statement of faith. Faith is not give God 10 dollars and expect 100 dollars in return. Faith is trusting that God is sovereign and He does what He pleases! He is in control! He is not a divine jukebox or slot machine that we use. He is not a God we use when we’re in bad shape and forget about it when we are feeling good.
These days, we have “bandwagon faith”, it’s a dangerous virus, it jumps on whatever feels right at the moment, doesn’t go according to any plan, it ‘s a “forget about it” kind of faith that does not care and has no root. Does SMA have this kind of bandwagon faith? See that phrase… “even if he does not save, we’d not be any less faithful.” They never lost sight that God is in control. What a trust they have. What a faith they have in God’s sovereignty. I trust today your faith is helping you to know though the tragedy is real, the blazing furnace is real, it does not mean that God does not care, does not know what is happening in our hearts.
3. Faith suffers.
Having a faith like SMA is not easy, 3 times mentioned word “tied up, firmly tied” (v.20, 23, 24). No coincidence. Their faith brought them to circumstance of being tied up, bound, tight. Having faith more than likely involves suffering. Bound? Struggle? No comfort in them words eh? How about u? All sorts feelings of being tied up? Look in the Bible, it is in the fire that God frees them, delivers them. Is.43:1-7 (p.514 in pew Bible). Feel like being thrown into blazing furnace, things getting beyond your control, have faith, not bandwagon faith, faith in sovereign God whose eternal purpose matter rather than your present circumstance. Look around does God always deliver? The mortality rate for all faith healers is 100% No one lives forever, Are we as Christians, promised some sort of immunity from discouragement, distress, diseases, darkness, doubts, struggle? No? It is in fire that God comes through and says “I am with you.” See they were not 3 but four in the fire (v.25). Perhaps feeling tied up, bound, firmly!! Look and see God is with you!! Jesus says: I am with u always! Oh how much it helps to know God stands with us, that we are not alone, even in the fire. The One who said He is with us also went through pain and suffering on the cross and He did what He could to save us, to redeem you and I. May we know that God identifies with us in suffering, and wishes to comfort us and tell us He understands. In the fiery ordeal, God somehow is present when we have faith that dwells not on circumstances but believes no matter what that God is good, he cares, and understands our pain, loves me still.
4. Faith triumphs
“Consider it pure joy, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete and not lacking anything.” (James 1:2-4) Mature character is what God is after not just pleasant circumstances!!
SMA sure was rewarded for their unflagging faith in a sovereign God who they know is able, bet their faith grew just a few feet taller that day. V.27 not even smell of smoke on them whereas the soldiers (some of the strongest died).
How did SMA triumph in faith? They started with little choices to trust God in the little things. This builds confidence to trust when it counts. Daniel 1:8-14 tells of how they trusted God in obedience to food laws rather than gorge themselves with Babylonian delicacies. Daniel 2:17-18. They were inclined to prayer… They were disciplined… They obeyed God in the little things… Start right now, then we can hear more of the voice of God when the fiery ordeal begins in blazing furnace world. We will see more of His comfort and touch, presence As we choose to trust Him through all things. Paul says “I can do all things through Him who gives me strength.”
Certainly do live in a terror-filed world, but we can stand tall like SMA in face of incredible challenges to faith! In face of world that attempts to absorb you into its values and culture, we can stand tall! In face of pressures, where we feel little or no hope, look up a crucified Savior suffer died for us but did not remain in grave, He has power over death and so do we, we will not be in the grave! In face of terror that grips the world, we can Stand tall with a faith that triumphs - knowing God knows all that is happening and cares deeply. Otherwise why would He leave us this story of SMA in the Bible? Do you see that He longs for us to know that He can be trusted? When life throws a curve at you can you stand tall?? Let me remind you…
1. Circumstances change: Do not trust in circumstances, they are fickle at best
2. Faith helps: Trust in your sovereign God, who rules? God rules! He is not surprised at what happened in America,
3. Faith suffers: God Suffering/trials can be valuable, feel tied up bound, in the fire, that’s ok, not something strange, not out of favor with God, part of Christian life, wants to you to have mature faith not bandwagon faith
4. Faith triumphs: start with little choices today, everyday to trust God
So allow not the circumstances of life to rule your heart rather than God otherwise I fear terror will grip you? The Lord is near to the broken hearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit. Feel tied up, bound in the fiery ordeal?? Begin to trust Him with little choices such as start praying right now. Those who have been through the fire, the furnace of affliction, I ask that you give out the comfort of Christ which you have received. Comfort others with the comfort you received from God, will you?
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