In review of Daniel 3:28 I read, “Praise be to the God of Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego, who has sent his angel and rescued his servants! They trusted in him and defied the king’s command and were willing to give up their lives rather than serve or worship any god except their own God.” (NIV)
Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego, trusted in God only and in obedience were willing to suffer pain and give up their lives rather than to serve or worship anything else.
How I handle pain and trials is also a great witness to the world. When I trust God in spite of suffering or bad situations, it will help point unbelievers to him.
Frankly, I’m not much of a witness when life is good. It's easy to serve God during those times. But when things get tough, it's a different story.
In this example, Daniels' friends trusted God, and God rescued them in a miraculous manner. These guys also impressed the king with their faith. And the king was the most powerful emperor of that time.
The king said, “Praise be to the God of Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego, who has sent his angel and rescued his servants! They trusted in him and defied the king’s command and were willing to give up their lives rather than serve or worship any god except their own God” (Daniel 3:28 NIV).
King Nebuchadnezzar recognized that these guys were willing to defy his order and risk death because they trusted God.
This morning I need to consider what I am willing to suffer or die for. If I don’t know what I’m willing to die for, I’ll never truly live. I’ll only exist.
God can bring new life to others, simply because they see me trust him through the trials (the fires).
In summary, praise be to God, who can send his angel and rescue me! Even if He chooses not to, I need to trust in God only and in obedience be willing to suffer pain and give up my life rather than to serve or worship something else. How I handle these situations (pain and trials) in my life is a great witness and example to those around me. When I trust God in spite of suffering or bad situations, it will help point others (possibly even unbelievers) to him. This is especially true in situations when things get tough and the heat is on. So I need to consider and settle on what I am willing to suffer or die for. If I don’t know, then I’ll never truly live. I’ll only exist. God can use what happens to me to bring new life to others, simply because they see me trust him through the trials of life (the fires).
Father you can do many things, and you choose me to be a part of your larger plan. You truly can bring new life out of the fire, not only in myself but in others. I pray that through the help of the Holy Spirit in my life that I recognize the fiery situations for what you can do to help me burn off and eliminate what holds me back, and for me to show my trust in you by being obedient. I also pray for wisdom and guidance for my day, my work, my leadership and my interaction with others. I ask these things through your Son Jesus name, Amen.
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