Words of such comfort to me—how about you?
During the defeat of Jerusalem by King Nebuchadnezzar in 605 BC, Daniel, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego were captured and deported to Babylon. They were prized booty due to their youthfulness, intelligence, and physical appearance. They were the spoils of war the Babylonians wanted to add to their culture. Do you think these who were kidnapped remembered God’s words about never leaving or forsaking them?
We live in difficult times. Chances are we won’t be captured and carted off to another country, but we will go through times wondering about those words from God.
Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego had been taught the stories of God’s power and might, when rescuing the Jews from Egypt. Possibly, they had experienced answered prayers themselves, further strengthening their faith. When they found themselves forced into worshipping false idols, they knew they could not do it.
Threats of a fiery death in a scorching furnace did not shake their faith in God’s protection. In Daniel 3:17-18, they told the king God would protect them from him and the fire. But if He did not, they still would not go against their beliefs. Beliefs based upon the moral compass of God.
Charles Spurgeon said not to focus on your personal furnace but on the face of God, who is smiling at you.
We all know the story and how the furnace was heated to seven times its normal intensity and yet they did not have a single singed hair. They had faith.
How is your faith?
Where is your faith compared to these? I’m glad that I won’t have to face the fiery furnace. We read the histories of the saints; we look in our mirrors at the reflection, and we thank God for His blessings, and we ask for more faith.
Mark 9:24 relates a father wanting Jesus to heal his son and when asked if he believed he said I do believe; help my unbelief.
Help my unbelief. A prayer I can pray often during my day.
How about you?
During the defeat of Jerusalem by King Nebuchadnezzar in 605 BC, Daniel, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego were captured and deported to Babylon. They were prized booty due to their youthfulness, intelligence, and physical appearance. They were the spoils of war the Babylonians wanted to add to their culture. Do you think these who were kidnapped remembered God’s words about never leaving or forsaking them?
We live in difficult times. Chances are we won’t be captured and carted off to another country, but we will go through times wondering about those words from God.
Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego had been taught the stories of God’s power and might, when rescuing the Jews from Egypt. Possibly, they had experienced answered prayers themselves, further strengthening their faith. When they found themselves forced into worshipping false idols, they knew they could not do it.
Threats of a fiery death in a scorching furnace did not shake their faith in God’s protection. In Daniel 3:17-18, they told the king God would protect them from him and the fire. But if He did not, they still would not go against their beliefs. Beliefs based upon the moral compass of God.
Charles Spurgeon said not to focus on your personal furnace but on the face of God, who is smiling at you.
We all know the story and how the furnace was heated to seven times its normal intensity and yet they did not have a single singed hair. They had faith.
How is your faith?
Where is your faith compared to these? I’m glad that I won’t have to face the fiery furnace. We read the histories of the saints; we look in our mirrors at the reflection, and we thank God for His blessings, and we ask for more faith.
Mark 9:24 relates a father wanting Jesus to heal his son and when asked if he believed he said I do believe; help my unbelief.
Help my unbelief. A prayer I can pray often during my day.
How about you?
