READ:
DANIEL 3:13-25
God allowed
the children of Israel to be carried away captives into Babylon partly because
of their and because He had plans to reveal His might in the heathen kingdom
which controlled the ‘larger part of the then known world.’
Four of the Israeli captives had distinguished themselves in knowledge, wisdom and understanding as well as in dreams and vision. They were ten times better than their Babylonian peers, magicians and astrologers (Daniel 1:17-20). As a result of their excellence, they became leaders in the land and stood before the king. If you are still among the crowd in your studies or profession, you are yet to arrive at God’s promise land. It was when you are manifestly the best there is, that you will stand out as light and be able to win more to Christ from such vantage position.
One day, king Nebuchadnezzar made a very outstanding golden image. He was so thrilled by his uncommon invention that he felt it should be worshipped by all and sundry and commanded so. Refusal to bow to this image was to be punished by death in a fiery furnace. Have you come out with an idea, project, invention, literary work, business proposal which appears outstanding? Praise God! But have begun to adore and worship it to the point that it has become your all in all? Anyone who does not seem to see it the way you do, is sentenced to your hidden fiery furnace? You have become another Nebuchadnezzar!
Hananiah, Mishael and Azariah refused to bow to this golden image and were cast into the fire. But their faith in God was unshaken. They looked at the king in the eye and said, ‘king, our God is able to deliver us from your fire and He will deliver us.’ Seeing their faith, God stepped into the fire with them. The book of Hebrews says by faith, they quenched the violence of fire. Faith in God expressed in works, and believed in the heart in the face of adversity is what attracts and compels God to intervene in your situation. God is on the lookout for genuine faith. Wherever He sees it, He responds. What satanic or man-made fire are you facing today? Let God see your faith and soon you will quench the violence of that fire.
Four of the Israeli captives had distinguished themselves in knowledge, wisdom and understanding as well as in dreams and vision. They were ten times better than their Babylonian peers, magicians and astrologers (Daniel 1:17-20). As a result of their excellence, they became leaders in the land and stood before the king. If you are still among the crowd in your studies or profession, you are yet to arrive at God’s promise land. It was when you are manifestly the best there is, that you will stand out as light and be able to win more to Christ from such vantage position.
One day, king Nebuchadnezzar made a very outstanding golden image. He was so thrilled by his uncommon invention that he felt it should be worshipped by all and sundry and commanded so. Refusal to bow to this image was to be punished by death in a fiery furnace. Have you come out with an idea, project, invention, literary work, business proposal which appears outstanding? Praise God! But have begun to adore and worship it to the point that it has become your all in all? Anyone who does not seem to see it the way you do, is sentenced to your hidden fiery furnace? You have become another Nebuchadnezzar!
Hananiah, Mishael and Azariah refused to bow to this golden image and were cast into the fire. But their faith in God was unshaken. They looked at the king in the eye and said, ‘king, our God is able to deliver us from your fire and He will deliver us.’ Seeing their faith, God stepped into the fire with them. The book of Hebrews says by faith, they quenched the violence of fire. Faith in God expressed in works, and believed in the heart in the face of adversity is what attracts and compels God to intervene in your situation. God is on the lookout for genuine faith. Wherever He sees it, He responds. What satanic or man-made fire are you facing today? Let God see your faith and soon you will quench the violence of that fire.
MEMORIZE:
DANIEL 3:17 –If it be so, our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the
burning fiery furnace, and He will deliver us out of your hand, O king.
