12/2/2015 Wednesday
Daniel 3
A
Command to Worship a False God
Our God is amazing and what He teaches us
NEVER goes to waste. He wants us to share the “AH HA” moments–when the Holy Spirit reveals
something we hadn’t “seen” before–with
each other thus encouraging each other as well as helping our faith become “Furnace
Ready.”
I say this with full assurance. I had just
returned a couple weeks ago from a Women’s Retreat where the Pastor and his
wife both spoke re: this particular Bible passage. Shadrach, Meshach, and
Abednego lived a life of “CHOOSING GOD.” Because it was evident in both who
they were as well as their actions, they were persecuted (like millions still
today). However, they stayed the course. When given the option, they CHOSE GOD,
knowing full well the consequences of said choice. They had “FURNACE READY
FAITH.”
Now, there’s another part that was
especially profound. It’s Daniel 3:17-18, especially verse 18. In verse 17,
they extol God saying that He’s able to deliver them. The eye-opener, so to
speak, came in 2 words in verse 18, “…even if…”God’s able to deliver them, but “EVEN
IF” He didn’t, they still CHOSE GOD!
So, what’s our “EVEN IF”–family, finances, employment,
health, etc.? There are many “EVEN Ifs”, but only ONE GOD! Will we, like the
friends in Daniel 3, have “FURNACE READY FAITH?” Will we CHOOSE GOD “EVEN IF”
(whatever our personal “Even If” might be)?
Dear God, I pray as we study Your Word and
read the story of these friends in Daniel 3, that our spirits become
encouraged. May we stand firm like Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego in whatever
our “furnace” may be and CHOOSE YOU! May our hearts be at peace as we come to
the place of KNOWING You can deliver us, but “EVEN IF” You do not, we STILL
CHOOSE YOU! Thank You, O God, for the testimony of these men of faith.
In Jesus’ Holy and Mighty Name, we pray.
AMEN!
Deb Lyon
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