An About-face~

A few interesting footnotes to this passage in Daniel.

Nebuchadnezzar, the very one who made the statue and demanded it be worshipped, now has a different opinion.  He witnessed a miracle and immediately recognized the Most High God at work.  Others witnessed it as well.  They saw with their own eyes that the fire had not harmed them and that there was not even the smell of fire on them.  Can you imagine all those folks gathered around sniffing these guys? 

What results when we are confident in our faith, spend time with Jesus during our trial, and emerge victorious?      

Daniel 3:28-30 “Then Nebuchadnezzar said, ‘Praise be to the God of Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego, who has 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.  Therefore I decree that the people of any nation or language who say anything against the God of Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego be cut into pieces and their houses be turned into piles of rubble, for no other god can save in this way.’ Then the king promoted Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego in the province of Babylon.”

Even the worst of the worst recognize that God is worthy to be praised when He shows up, does His thing, and rescues us.  There’s no denying that “no other god can save” in the way we need to be saved.  Others around us marvel at what God does in our lives and maybe, just maybe, that’s the push they need to invite Christ into their lives.  I have seen firsthand how God has saved marriages, restored health, brought babies to infertile couples, brought love into lonely lives, brought peace where only torment had existed, brought joy where depression abounded, brought financial miracles just in time, and supernaturally protected children from accidents, and it has bolstered my faith like nothing else!

And while I wouldn’t go as far as decreeing that “people be cut into pieces” if they say anything against God, I won’t allow anyone in my presence to take His name in vain or be disrespectful.  God is just too loving, too awesome, and too beautiful to me for me to be in that kind of atmosphere. 

Last but not least, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego were promoted by the very king who tried to kill them.  Talk about an about-face!  God takes the thing that had us freaked out and struggling in the first place and turns it around to be a source of blessing.  Amen!

PRAYER: Dear Lord, Thank You that we get blessed and so do others when You show up and save us.  You are worthy to be praised, and Your name is sacred.  Glory to Your name, and we invite You to pour our Your strength, joy, health, provision, and peace into us and our families.  In Jesus’ name, AMEN!

Unbound and Unharmed

Today we pick up where Friday’s DEVO left off.  How do we go from wondering if God can do something to knowing God can do whatever it takes?  How do we stop being fearful and start being confident like those three men who were threatened with being thrown into the furnace unless they worshipped a false god? 

Daniel 3:17 says, “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 hand.”

However, Daniel 3:18 is an even bolder statement: “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." 

It’s one thing to have faith when you know it’s going to work out the way you want it to.  It’s another thing entirely when you have no guarantees but you believe regardless.

Daniel 3:19-22 “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.”

The furnace was so hot that even the soldiers who threw them in were burned up.  Life is kind of like this sometimes.  We are minding our own business when out of the blue our faith is challenged.  We are so sure of our faith, and sure that we are pleasing God, but we get thrown into the fire anyway.

Nevertheless, to answer the question – how do we become confident in our faith? – we read the next couple of verses 24-25: “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 the Son of God.’”  

This is such a beautiful and reassuring passage from scripture.  Three were thrown in, but four were walking around.  Jesus was with them, and Jesus is with us.  We can become confident in our faith because no matter where we go, Jesus will go too.  There are no chains He can’t break.  There is no fire that is too hot.  This brings tears to my eyes!

PRAYER: Dear Lord, Thank You that You are literally always with us.  Thank you for the assurance that even in the midst of trials we walk around unbound and unharmed. Since nothing is holding us back, we raise our hands and praise You! In Your name, AMEN~   

Growing Faith is Better~

Someone once said, “A trembling hand may hold a cup into which Jesus will not refuse to pour out the miracles of heaven, but the trembling hand will spill much of the blessing.”

The father of the little boy Jesus healed still received the greatest blessing of all when he child was healed.  But were there other blessings that were forfeited because of his doubts?

None of us wants to judge this poor dad; it’s hard enough that his child was suffering.  But I think it’s okay to point out that while weak faith is still faith, growing faith is better.  Weak faith takes unsure steps.   The dad approached Jesus with uncertainty, “If you can do anything, do it,” Mark 9:24.

Mature faith, on the other hand is bold.  Daniel chapter three details the story of three, faithful, Jewish men who refused to worship a gold statue made by King Nebuchadnezzar.  When this king found out he was beyond angry.  “Furious with rage, Nebuchadnezzar summoned Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego. Nebuchadnezzar said to them, ‘Is it true, Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego, that you do not serve my gods or worship the image of gold I have set up? If you do not worship it, you will be thrown immediately into a blazing furnace. Then what god will be able to rescue you from my hand?’ 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.’” 

One father feebly stated “If.” These other three confidently proclaimed, “Is able.”  Both of the situations these folks found themselves in were tough and rough. But if and when push comes to shove, I want to be bold, confident, and sure of the God I believe in.  It starts with prayer.

Dear Lord, We have all had times where we feel the heat of life and have felt our faith falter.  Strengthen our faith in You today so we have peace and joy.  We do not want to spill not even one precious blessing.  Help us be confident in You.  In Jesus’ name, AMEN~