Scripture Reading: Daniel 3:1-30, Psalm 27:1-14, Isaiah 43:2, Hebrews 11:32-40
Courage under fire. We often encounter situations that require us to stand up for our beliefs, even at the risk of loss. We speak up about an injustice. We blow the whistle on unethical behaviors at work. We refuse to endorse societal values that clash with the truth of God’s Word. We perform these acts of bravery, knowing they can result in loss of our jobs, our relationships, and even our social standing. The pressure to back down can be tempting.
Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego understood this pressure and refused to let even the threat of death sway them. God had their complete trust; they placed their fate in His hand. When faced with the fiery furnace that was meant to be their death sentence, they declared, “But even if [God] does not rescue us, we want you as king to know that we will not serve your gods or worship the gold statue you set up” (Daniel 3:18). What a bold proclamation from these three young men in the presence of such a powerful king! They chose faith in God over fear of a human king. No matter how intense Nebuchadnezzar made the fire, the young Jewish men refused to abandon their trust in the Lord.
Their story gives us a powerful picture of what unwavering faith in God looks like in our own lives. We trust that He is with us, no matter what flames we face. We trust in Him when we are sick, encounter financial hardship, and even lose our loved ones. He promises to be with us through it all (Isaiah 43:2). And so even when the king made good on his fiery threat, God proved that He had not abandoned His faithful ones (Daniel 3:25).
The Lord can also use our faithfulness to change people’s thoughts and actions in ways we cannot even begin to imagine. Nebuchadnezzar marveled at the God of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego after witnessing their delivery from the fire, acknowledging, “There is no other god who is able to deliver like this” (v.29). Even further, he passed a law that forbade anyone else from speaking against God. This allowed other Jewish exiles to worship God without fear of punishment. This all came about because three young men refused to give up their faith.
And what about us? How do we respond when it seems as if everything and everyone is against us? We lean in closer to the One who refuses to abandon us. We trust that as we walk through the flames, He is with us every step of the way.
Written by Tameshia Williams
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6 thoughts on "Delivered from the Fire"
This is it, is it not, Ladies?
“If this be so, our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the burning fiery furnace, and He will deliver us out of your hand, O king. But if not, be it known to you, O king, that we will not serve your gods or worship the golden image that you have set up.”
We will not serve your god or the image you have set up – not what if, but even if. Because they knew that “when you walk through fire you shall not be burned, and the flame shall not consume you”.
Such amazing courage and faith because they knew the God whom they did serve and worship. May it be true of us!
Yesterday Big N, was trusting Daniel to interprete his dream! And he was changed, to the point of bowing to the ground and praising God.. “..your God is the greatest of all gods, the Lord over kings..”
He even rewarded Daniel, raising him to a high position and gifting him much!
Today, big N, puts Daniel and friends in a hot hot furnace, because they disobeyed an order to worship some gold something he had ordered all to worship..
Did he forget his high praise of the one the four worshipped?
So here we are, it feels like his words of yesterday’s reading had been ‘surface’ talk, he had not taken to his heart, the wonder of God.
Daniel and friends are thrown into the hottest furnace, thst hot, it affected those on the outside!
God is always moving, for His people, for the betterment of those who love Him and those whose hearts He wants to change..
God was with the four, as we know, and yet when big N, looked in, he sees five, one looking like an angel, he calls them out of the smoky hot furnace..
“Praise the God of Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego! He sent His angel and rescued these men who serve and trust Him..”
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The words of the two that walked a
the Emmaus road came to mind(Matthew 24:32)… ” Did not our hearts burn while He talked with us..” as I imagined big N, finally got it!
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It may take a while for the penny to drop, oh but when it does, when the realisation comes.. Glory Hallelujah, when we know nothing else, but God’s faithfulness, presence, hope and love, we can walk through the fiery furnace of life, knowing He is with us, every step of our journey..
Big N’s journey surely began that way..
One can hope!
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Amen.
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Happy Friday, my dears, covered in much love, hugs and prayers..❤️❤️❤️
Good Early morning! We are driving through the night home, singing worship songs! I have not read the study yet. Please continue to pray for my Daddio. He had another awful day. Praying Lord, lifting up dad to you still, knowing YOU Lord are the healer. Also praying for safe travels home. Praying for my grandson and nephew as they are in the fire, knowing God is there and ready to save them!
praying Rhonda, Praying for your safe traveled for dad’s healing.., for the family members who are in the fire… my dear, BUT GOD.. AMEN.
Much love Rhonda, covered in prayers. ❤️
I have already prayed for you and your sweet family this morning when I read comments from yesterday. Praying for safe travels, pain relief/healing for your dad, comfort and peace for your sister and entire family, and strength for your nephew and grandson. ❤️
❤️❤️❤️