A Rainy Monday

It's been a rainy day in Florida (South of Georgia) today but a fun day nonetheless. A couple of friends and I went to the nearby outlet and spent a few dollars then we went out to eat. That's always fun when you are with good friends.
Tonight, however, I received sad news. First, I talked with my sister and she told me that one of her classmates passed away today. Then, when I began reading my emails, I learned that one of my high school classmates had also passed away. Our pastor preached on suffering and grief yesterday. Actually, he took his sermon from the third chapter of Daniel, a chapter that I have read and heard about many times. Jon emphasized punishment of the 3 men who were thrown into the fiery furnace for not bowing down and worshiping the idol the king had built. The fire was so hot that it killed the guards; however, the 3 men survived the fire. When the king looked into the furnace, he saw 4 men, one in the form of the son of God, proving that God was with the men in the midst of the fire. God didn't deliver the men from the fire but He went through the fire with them. And, that's what He does for us when we go through trials and tribulations. He may not deliver us from our sorrows and problems but He will be with us as we go through grief or pain. He will refine us and make us stronger as we face our new day. God is our constant Friend.