Read Daniel 3:1-18
Hmmm! The raw faith, determination, love and trust Shedrack, Meshach and Abednego had for God even in th face of death keeps me wondering and pondering (what would I have done if I were in their shoes and even now with all the terrors disparaging me?) . Am really astounded at their guts and raw courage. In short am short of words. They were very emphatic in their response to the king, not mincing words: “we will never worship, we prefer to die rather than offend our God. In fact He will deliver us from your hands” (v. 17).
Hmmm! The raw faith, determination, love and trust Shedrack, Meshach and Abednego had for God even in th face of death keeps me wondering and pondering (what would I have done if I were in their shoes and even now with all the terrors disparaging me?) . Am really astounded at their guts and raw courage. In short am short of words. They were very emphatic in their response to the king, not mincing words: “we will never worship, we prefer to die rather than offend our God. In fact He will deliver us from your hands” (v. 17).
That’s rare guts you know. I ask myself more often than none do I have such? What baffles me most in their reply was that if God decides not to save them, they will still not disobey him (v.18). Wao!!! Can you honestly say the same? Remember these were the very ones with Daniel who refused to eat from the king’s table but prefer vegetables in order not to offend God (Dan. 1)
In other words, they were privileged men that tasted power, luxury and the likes but they prefer to die even if God decides not to save them. They trusted God so much even to death. They strongly believe that from all their terrors God will set them free (Ps. 34:4); for the Lord is close to the broken hearted and helps those whose spirits are crushed (v.18); that in spite of the many troubles of the just, the Lord will deliver them(v.19). Do you believe this?
This is exactly the same for the holy man Job in spite of all his overwhelming and suicidal calamities said “… the Lord gave, and the Lord has taken away. Blessed be his name!” (Job 1:21); “If we receive good things from God, why cannot we accept evil from him?” (2:10) and the bibles says that in spite of all this calamity, Job did not utter a sinful word. Like Shedrack, Meshach and Abednego, all four maintained “no matter what, I will still trust God.” Would you?
Jesus told Martha in Jn. 11:40 that; ”Have I not told you that if you believe, you will see the glory of God?” These four men believed even to death and they saw the manifestation of God’s glory in their lives. And as I ask myself everyday in my quiet moments and I ask you too, why can’t we display this raw trust in God in all the challenges we face in our lives.
This is exactly the same for the holy man Job in spite of all his overwhelming and suicidal calamities said “… the Lord gave, and the Lord has taken away. Blessed be his name!” (Job 1:21); “If we receive good things from God, why cannot we accept evil from him?” (2:10) and the bibles says that in spite of all this calamity, Job did not utter a sinful word. Like Shedrack, Meshach and Abednego, all four maintained “no matter what, I will still trust God.” Would you?
Jesus told Martha in Jn. 11:40 that; ”Have I not told you that if you believe, you will see the glory of God?” These four men believed even to death and they saw the manifestation of God’s glory in their lives. And as I ask myself everyday in my quiet moments and I ask you too, why can’t we display this raw trust in God in all the challenges we face in our lives.
Pray then with Ps. 16 & 23, and sing prayerfully “I need thee every hour” and “my hope is built on nothing less.” Study Deut. 32.
SHEPHERD ME O LORD BEYOND MY STRENGTH