This comes from Daniel chapter 3

In context, Nebuchadnezzar was the reigning king at the time in Babylon.  He had conquered Judah and taken some Jews to Babylon.  Daniel and his friends were amongst those taken to Babylon.  In chapter 3, we read that Nebuchadnezzar had built a golden image that he wanted everyone in his kingdom to bow to, when they hear the sound of the horn, flute, harp and lyre in symphony.  However, these three Jewish young men, Shadrach, Meshach and Abed-Nego refused and they were reported to the king.

Daniel 3:⁸ At this time some astrologers came forward and denounced the Jews. ⁹ They said to King Nebuchadnezzar, “May the king live forever! ¹⁰ Your Majesty has issued a decree that everyone who hears the sound of the horn, flute, zither, lyre, harp, pipe and all kinds of music must fall down and worship the image of gold, ¹¹ and that whoever does not fall down and worship will be thrown into a blazing furnace. ¹² But there are some Jews whom you have set over the affairs of the province of Babylon—Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego—who pay no attention to you, Your Majesty. They neither serve your gods nor worship the image of gold you have set up.” ¹³ Furious with rage, Nebuchadnezzar summoned Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego. So these men were brought before the king, ¹⁴ and 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?

I am sure that the king did not expect the response he got from the three young men.  In verse ¹⁶ Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego replied to him, “King Nebuchadnezzar, we do not need to defend ourselves before you in this matter. ¹⁷ 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.”

How does the king respond to such rudeness?  The three young Jewish men were not afraid.  They were simply letting the king know that they were resolute in the things of God, irrespective of God saving them or not.  They stood their ground and their strength of character showed forth.  They told the king that bowing to worship his golden image was not an option for them.  They were confident in God.

Daniel 3:¹⁹ 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 ²⁰ and commanded some of the strongest soldiers in his army to tie up Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego and throw them into the blazing furnace.

The king was so angry he commanded the fiery furnace to be seven times hotter.  What affliction, battle or adversity could you be going through right now?  Is it at your work place?  Or is it in your relationship?  Or is it in your personal life?  Are you battling some health challenge? Does it seem as if every time you conquer an adversity, another one rears its ugly head?  Hold on, because Isaiah 41:10 says, So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God.  I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.  Our God is no respecter of persons, what He did for one, He will do for us too.  His promise to us is that He will never leave us nor forsake us.  The adversity you are going through is not to kill you but to strengthen you.

Daniel 3: ²² 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, ²³ and these three men, firmly tied, fell into the blazing furnace.

These 3 young men were committed to the things of God.  When you get to a point where you are dedicated to God, the enemy will attack your faith.  There will be an area of your life, where you will struggle and during this period, it will have nothing to do about your gifts or talents.  You as a child of God will have to choose whom you will serve.  During such a time, your trust in God will have to be enhanced by reading your Bible, confessing Scriptures, listening to Gospel music or messages from other men and women of God.  It will be about being focused, being single-minded and unyielding in what you know God can do for you.  No matter what, God will come through for you as He did for Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego.

Daniel 3: ²⁴ 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.” ²⁵ He said, “Look! I see four men walking around in the fire, unbound and unharmed, and the fourth looks like a son of the gods.” ²⁶ Nebuchadnezzar then approached the opening of the blazing furnace and shouted, “Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego, servants of the Most High God, come out! Come here!” So Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego came out of the fire.

These 3 young Jewish men stood their ground to not bow and worship another God and they were doubly blessed for that: God came and walked with them in the fire and they were also set free from the shackles of the king.  God honoured their faith in him.  God is able to deliver you from any ‘fire’ we might be going through. 

God wants us to have faith as small as a mustard seed, be resolute that God will fight your battles for you.  God will pour the super on your natural because we serve a supernatural GOD.  A God who is more than enough, a God who is faithful to us even when we are faithless. 

Don’t allow your circumstance to stop you from trusting God; whatever you need to do as a child of God, if it means doing it afraid, then do it.  God is more than able.  Don’t limit God, confess Scriptures, read stories in the Bible and don’t give up.  Isaiah 43:2 When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you.  When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned; the flames will not set you ablaze.   The afflictions or adversities or fires of the enemy have nothing on God.  Hebrews 12:29 tells us For our God is a consuming fire.

PRAYER POINTS:

Father God, come and fight my battles for me in the name of Jesus.

Oh Lord, give me the strength to not give up during the time of adversity in the name of Jesus.

Oh Lord, come and show yourself strong on my behalf, regarding… in the name of Jesus.

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