Great Balls of Fire
I love the story of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego found in Daniel Chapter 3. These guys had faith. King Nebuchadnezzar called them to appear before him. The king was furious that they hadn't bowed down to the false gods he had set up. And he told the three that they would be thrown in the blazing furnace if they refused to worship the image of gold and serve the king's gods .
Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego replied in verse 16, "King Nebuchadnezzar, we do not need to defend ourselves before you in this matter." In this matter. They were still showing respect to the king, working within the structure within which God had placed them, but they drew the line at worshipping other gods. We need to learn that lesson: to work within the community and culture changing it from the inside, not from the outside as observers.
In verse 17 they added, " 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. 18 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.”
Notice what they said, God is able. They know God is capable of rescuing them but knew the decision on whether to rescue was God's. They knew that God Almighty was able to rescue them. They had resolve and conviction of their beliefs. How many times do we compromise? They followed God.
Too many times we limit God. Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego likely thought when they were thrown into the fire, this is it; our life here on earth is over. The furnace was heated seven times hotter than normal, so hot that the soldiers who threw them in were consumed. But Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, even though bound when thrown in, were walking around and someone else was with them - someone described by the advisers as looking "like a son of the gods."
That blows me away, what God is willing to do. It is a miracle in our lives every day what God does for us and through us. The real story here is that God never promised us we wouldn't walk through fire, but when we walk through fire he is with us.
The best lesson we can teach our kids and those around us is that God is faithful. Let them see the fires you are walking through and help them understand that God is there with you.
Where is your faith?
In Him,
Pastor Boyd
Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego replied in verse 16, "King Nebuchadnezzar, we do not need to defend ourselves before you in this matter." In this matter. They were still showing respect to the king, working within the structure within which God had placed them, but they drew the line at worshipping other gods. We need to learn that lesson: to work within the community and culture changing it from the inside, not from the outside as observers.
In verse 17 they added, " 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. 18 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.”
Notice what they said, God is able. They know God is capable of rescuing them but knew the decision on whether to rescue was God's. They knew that God Almighty was able to rescue them. They had resolve and conviction of their beliefs. How many times do we compromise? They followed God.
Too many times we limit God. Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego likely thought when they were thrown into the fire, this is it; our life here on earth is over. The furnace was heated seven times hotter than normal, so hot that the soldiers who threw them in were consumed. But Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, even though bound when thrown in, were walking around and someone else was with them - someone described by the advisers as looking "like a son of the gods."
That blows me away, what God is willing to do. It is a miracle in our lives every day what God does for us and through us. The real story here is that God never promised us we wouldn't walk through fire, but when we walk through fire he is with us.
The best lesson we can teach our kids and those around us is that God is faithful. Let them see the fires you are walking through and help them understand that God is there with you.
Where is your faith?
In Him,
Pastor Boyd
Recent
Archive
2014
July
August
September
Categories
no categories
No Comments