God Is Able

"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 power, your Majesty."

- Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego, Daniel 6:17

"Do not expect God always to give you His thrilling minutes, but learn to live in the domain of drudgery by the power of God."

- Oswald Chambers

Talk about "shameless audacity"! Not one of the prayers of Meshach, Shadrach, and Abednego had been answered. They had prayed years earlier that the powerful King Nebuchadnezzar would not defeat their beloved Israel… but he did. They had prayed that the best and brightest young men and women would not be taken as captives to Babylon… but they were. They had prayed that the King would not make them bow down and worship a golden statue of himself… but he did. Then they prayed that King Nebuchadnezzer would not throw them into a fiery furnace for not bowing down… but he did. And now, after all those unanswered prayers, they still believe that even if the worst occurs, their God will rescue them from the fire… and He did!

What "shameless audacity"!... and we could all use some, because God is Able!

Years ago in New York City, the great concert pianist and composer, Ignacy Jan Paderewski, was scheduled to perform at the New York Opera House. The great hall was packed with crowds of people waiting in great anticipation. On stage was a sole Steinway with one seat and one spotlight. Seated on the front row was a small boy who himself was just learning how to play the piano. His mother had brought him to this performance, hoping that watching the master play might inspire her son to play. But this boy was a lot like my children at formal events… fidgeting, squirming, looking around, can't sit still.  Minutes before the concert was to begin, as his mom turned to speak to the person behind her… her son suddenly bolted for the stage. A gasp went up from the crowd as this 8 year old boy climbed up into the piano seat of the Master. "Oh No!" "How embarrassing!"

As every adult in the place thinks, "Get that kid off that stage", the boy begins to play the only song he knows, "Chopsticks." The mother is petrified… and just as security is about to storm the stage, out walks Paderewski. A hush falls over the crowd. Without saying a word, he throws up his tails, sits down on the one seat next to the boy and whispers, "Don't quit… keep playing!" As the child plays "ChopSticks," Paderewski plays this great classical piece behind him, and elevates this child's song to that of an unbelievable masterpiece. When they're finished, the crowd jumps to their feet and explodes with applause… and the boy stands next to the master, and they both take a bow… thanks to "shameless audacity!"

The reason Meshach, Shadrach and Abednego lived in faith not fear is because their focus was not on the size of the furnace or the strength of Nebuchadnezzer… it's on the power of their God. They believed their God is able.

The God we serve is able to reconcile marriages… I've seen it happen.

The God we serve is able to liberate people from horrible addictions… I've seen it happen.

The God we serve is able to heal damaged bodies… I've seen it happen.

The God we serve is able to take what's wrong and make it right… I've seen it happen.

The God we serve is able to forgive the darkest failure and make a new beginning for you… I've seen it happen.

The God we serve is able to provide for the deepest need… I've seen it happen.

The God we serve is able to inspire capacities in us greater than our own… I've seen it happen.

The God we serve is able to guide us with supernatural wisdom… I've seen it happen.

Our God is able! You may be saying today, "God… all I've got is ‘Chopsticks.’" And God responds, "Great… don't quit! Keep playing! Keep praying! And together we will create an unforgettable masterpiece!"

Take a lesson from a couple of young boys and show some "shameless audacity" Because... God Is Able!

Pastor Harry

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