Last month, I started this two parter about how we can all enjoy operating under open heaven by reminding ourselves of those who have gone ahead of us in the faith. Here is part 2.

• Another set of people who operated under open heaven were: Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego. These Hebrew youths served in a pagan empire; but their hearts remained true to the living God. However, their allegiance was put to the test when the Babylonian king, Nebuchadnezzar, commanded that a giant golden statue of himself be bowed before and worshipped.  They didn’t and were reported to the king who asked them why?  In their response, in Daniel 3: ⁶ Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-Nego answered and said to the king, “O Nebuchadnezzar, we have no need to answer you in this matter. ¹⁷ If that is the case, our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the burning fiery furnace, and He will deliver us from your hand, O king. ¹⁸ But if not, let it be known to you, O king, that we do not serve your gods, nor will we worship the gold image which you have set up.”  ¹⁹ Then Nebuchadnezzar was full of fury, and the expression on his face changed toward Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-Nego. He spoke and commanded that they heat the furnace seven times more than it was usually heated. 

PRAYER – No matter the opposition, may we not disown you Lord in the name of Jesus.

• Another area of operating under open heaven is obeying God no matter what and I want to look at Abraham and Issac.  And this comes in the example of, a story of unimaginable sacrifice.  It is difficult to comprehend the faith it would take to offer the life of our own child to God. And yet this is exactly what Abraham was prepared to do in obedience with his own son, Isaac. The tension in this passage is excruciating when Isaac realizes that something is wrong and asks his father,

In Ex 22: And he said, “Here I am, my son. “Then he said, “Look, the fire and the wood, but where is the lamb for a burnt offering?” ⁸ And Abraham said, “My son, God will provide for Himself the lamb for a burnt offering.” So the two of them went together.

PRAYER – Lord God, help us to obey you like Abraham did in the name of Jesus name.

Lastly, I want us to look at Abraham & the birth of Issac: Romans 4: ¹⁸ who, contrary to hope, in hope believed, so that he became the father of many nations, according to what was spoken, “So shall your descendants be.” ¹⁹ And not being weak in faith, he did not consider his own body, already dead (since he was about a hundred years old), and the deadness of Sarah’s womb. ²⁰ He did not waver at the promise of God through unbelief, but was strengthened in faith, giving glory to God.

PRAYER – Father Lord, help us to trust in you, no matter what our physical reality might be in Jesus name.

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