Day 11: Faith ... even if you lose everything - 15 June 2018
Benescke Janse van Rensburg
The trumpet blew and the nation bowed - including the king and all the leaders of the land. Only three men remained standing. Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego. This made the king furious. He summoned the three men. They must have had a relationship, because it was the king who appointed these three Jews to be head of the administration of the province, Babel.
I wonder what went through the three men's minds standing before the king. Were they scared or perhaps filled with courage? After all, they knew their action could cost them their lives. The king's order was clear: “Bow before the image of gold, or you will be thrown into a fiery furnace.”
We read in Daniel 3:15 that the king gave the men a final chance to bow before his image to escape death. In Daniel 3:16-18 they replied: “King Nebuchadnezzar, we do not need to defend ourselves before you in this matter. If we are thrown into the blazing furnace, the God we serve is able to deliver us from it, and he will deliver usfrom 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.”
How strong is your faith in God? Is it there only when we get our breakthroughs? What about the moment when the marriage that you prayed for still ends in divorce? Or when a child still dies that you hoped would be healed? Or when you lose your house and job? Do you still trust God? Do you still believe in His goodness?
Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego were thrown into a fiery furnace which was made seven times hotter than usual. The men who threw them in died. Inside the furnace, not even one hair got singed. They did not even smell of smoke. Why? They placed their faith in God, come what may – and God honored that! God bless.
Father God, thank You for your goodness in my life. Strengthen my faith - especially in times of pain and disappointment. I ask this in the Name of Jesus Christ. Amen.
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