Faith Through The Fire
One of the things that we expect from and appreciate about our first responders is that they run toward the danger while others are running away from it. Their heroism is tested in those situations. There are some trials that we face in our lives that are so perilous that our faith is tested to the limits. Those trials cause us to either run toward God or to turn and go away from Him. They determine whether you really trust in God and His faithfulness. In Daniel 3: 19-28, Shadrach, Meshach and Abedgnego were literally tested in the fire and emerged with greater faith in a God who dramatically demonstrated that His faithfulness never fails. I pray that in even your greatest trials, you will hold on to your faith in God to walk with you through the fire and bring you out greater on the other side. Amen
Worship God’s faithfulness as you listen to “Promises” by Maverick City Music https://youtu.be/HC87F9WQWHU?feature=shared
Then Nebuchadnezzar was furious with Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego, and his attitude toward them changed. He ordered the furnace heated seven times hotter than usual and commanded some of the strongest soldiers in his army to tie up Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego and throw them into the blazing furnace. So these men, wearing their robes, trousers, turbans and other clothes, were bound and thrown into the blazing furnace. The king’s command was so urgent and the furnace so hot that the flames of the fire killed the soldiers who took up Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego, and these three men, firmly tied, fell into the blazing furnace. (Daniel 3:19-23) Nebuchadnezzar was furious that the three Hebrew boys had defied his authority and chosen instead to be faithful to God. As king, he viewed himself as a god and it was an insult and a threat to his power for Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego to defy his edict. Although he had given them another chance to bow down to him, they held their position of faithfulness to God. So in his wrath, Nebuchadnezzar had the furnace heated so hot that the soldiers escorting the bound and tied Hebrew boys were themselves burned alive by the fire, and the three of them fell into the furnace.
Then King Nebuchadnezzar leaped to his feet in amazement and asked his advisers, “Weren’t there three men that we tied up and threw into the fire?” They replied, “Certainly, Your Majesty.” He said, “Look! I see four men walking around in the fire, unbound and unharmed, and the fourth looks like a son of the gods.” (Daniel 3:24-35) While watching the three Hebrew boys in the furnace, Nebuchadnezzar saw that something miraculous and supernatural was happening in there. To be sure, the three Hebrew boys that he had ordered thrown into the furnace were in there. But not only were they unbound and unharmed, walking around in the furnace, now there was a fourth person in the furnace that Nebuchadnezzar determined to be the son of God!
Nebuchadnezzar then approached the opening of the blazing furnace and shouted, “Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego, servants of the Most High God, come out! Come here!” So Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego came out of the fire, and the satraps, prefects, governors and royal advisers crowded around them. They saw that the fire had not harmed their bodies, nor was a hair of their heads singed; their robes were not scorched, and there was no smell of fire on them. Then Nebuchadnezzar said, “Praise be to the God of Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego, who has sent his angel and rescued his servants! They trusted in him and defied the king’s command and were willing to give up their lives rather than serve or worship any god except their own God. (Daniel 3:26-28) The three Hebrew boys left the fiery furnace unharmed and Nebuchadnezzar (as well as all of those in his royal administration) saw first hand that these Hebrew boys had been saved because of their faithfulness to the “Most High God”. And Nebuchadnezzar in turn recognized and praised the greatness of the God that they served. When you give God the glory for bringing you through the fire, you will cause other people to praise Him and give Him the glory also!
Even in their captivity in Babylon, under the glaring heat of a king asserting his authority over them, and the very real threat of death, Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego refused to be unfaithful to God. They would not worship or serve other gods. We too wrestle with things in our lives that seek to become our gods. And they threaten disastrous consequences for us if we fail to put them before God in our lives. But the God we serve is clear that there can be no other gods before Him. He has proven over and over again that He is faithful to His children who put their faith and hope in Jesus. And He’ll be with you always…. even through the fire!
Blessings, Rev. Glenn
Because of the LORD’s great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness. ~ Lamentations 3:23
Worship God’s faithfulness with “Promises” by Maverick City
https://youtu.be/HC87F9WQWHU?feature=shared
