Your Spiritual Journey
Faith on Fire
Faith on Fire
In case you hadn’t heard, it’s been hot outside this past week. Feeling the heat, talking about it, and worrying about the temperature when the air conditioning does not work caused me to think about Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego. We read about their interaction with King Nebuchadnezzar in Daniel, chapter 3. You want to talk about hot? How about a furnace so hot that it kills the soldiers that walked them up to throw them in.
The one part of their faith that has always struck me was what they said to King Nebuchadnezzar when he threatened to throw them into the furnace if they did not bow down to the golden image that he had created. They replied in verse 17-18, “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. 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”.
What an awesome example of faith on fire that is hotter than a furnace that kills simply by getting near it. Notice that these men did not say God will deliver us. They said that God is able to, but even if he chooses not to deliver them from the furnace, they would not bow down. In a world that is full of golden images and fiery traps that satan has put in front of us, let’s remember the faith, humility and willingness to serve the one true living God that these men showed.
In the face of temptation and adversity, God is in control, and I will not bow down.
In the face of ridicule and threats, God is in control, and I will not bow down.
In the face of illness, death and decay, God is in control, and I will not bow down.
When the air conditioning is not working, I will maintain my ‘cool’ and remember that God is in control, and I will not bow down.
In Christian Love,
Bob