I’m pretty sure kids have certain favorite Bible stories. Everybody seems to love Samson, because he's the Hebrew strong man. They love David and Goliath, that's a favorite. And they love the three Hebrew boys in the fiery furnace. Their story is told in Daniel chapter 3 when Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego get thrown into the fiery furnace. Now, we love that story because we know how it turns out. But if you had been Shadrach, Meshach, or Abednego, and you were living it in real time, that would be something else as you face the fiery furnace. The account tells us that the king commanded that all the people to worship his pagan gods and worship a massive statue that he had created and set up for himself. The three young Jewish men said “No”. So, the king (Nebuchadnezzar) commanded them thrown into a massive furnace with a blazing hot fire. Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego told the king that if you throw us into the fire, the God we serve is able to save us. He will rescue us from your power. But even if he doesn’t, we want to make it clear to you, that we will never serve your gods or worship the gold statue you have set up. And so, into the blazing hot fire they were thrown. When the king looked inside there were the three young men, untied, walking around in the fire unharmed. And there was a fourth person in there now as well…who looks like a god! The three young me didn’t know how all this would turn out. But they knew God well enough and loved and trusted him deeply enough to know that he could save them. But even if it was his plan that they die that day, they would not deny their faithfulness to the God of the Bible. And when they entered the fire, it sounds like God, in some way, was in there with them. You are going to have all kinds of “fiery trials” in this life. But it is then when you can demonstrate the loyalty and love that you have for God himself. You won’t know how it will turn out, but you know that God will be with you and he will protect you even in the flames of life. Will it take courage? You bet! And your courage will come from the very spirit of God working in your heart. Make it your pledge that no matter what the stakes, that God is your God. And that you are sticking with him…because he will always stick with you. And remember that heroes are willing to face the future not knowing how it will all turn out. But they will go, trusting in the love and goodness of the God who is in the business of saving us. Trust God
and let him write you into his story of heroes today with your courageous loyalty and love. Here’s our Bible verse for today…
Daniel 3:16-18 NLT Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego replied, “O Nebuchadnezzar, we do not need to defend ourselves before you. (17) If we are thrown into the blazing furnace, the God whom we serve is able to save us. He will rescue us from your power, Your Majesty. (18) But even if he doesn’t, we want to make it clear to you, Your Majesty, that we will never serve your gods or worship the gold statue you have set up.”
Remember I’m praying for you…
PJ
and let him write you into his story of heroes today with your courageous loyalty and love. Here’s our Bible verse for today…
Daniel 3:16-18 NLT Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego replied, “O Nebuchadnezzar, we do not need to defend ourselves before you. (17) If we are thrown into the blazing furnace, the God whom we serve is able to save us. He will rescue us from your power, Your Majesty. (18) But even if he doesn’t, we want to make it clear to you, Your Majesty, that we will never serve your gods or worship the gold statue you have set up.”
Remember I’m praying for you…
PJ