March 17 – In the Fire
“Then Nebuchadnezzar was furious with Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego, and his attitude toward them changed. He ordered the furnace heated seven times hotter than usual”
Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego are figures from chapter 3 of the Book of Daniel, three Hebrew men thrown into a fiery furnace by Nebuchadnezzar, king of Babylon, when they refuse to bow down to the king’s image; the three are preserved from harm and the king sees four men walking in the flames, “the fourth … like a son of God”. Know this:
Maya Angelou: One isn’t necessarily born with courage, but one is born with potential. Without courage, we cannot practice any other virtue with consistency. We can’t be kind, true, merciful, generous, or honest.
Persecution comes when you stand for the truth, but the ones who throw you into the fire really have no power over you. 1 Peter 5:9 “Resist him, standing firm in the faith, because you know that the family of believers throughout the world is undergoing the same kind of sufferings.” Resist in prayer and resist by not falling under their threats.
Never be intimidated if they try to “throw you into the fire.” Pray in your heart, commit that moment to God. There was a near death experience I once had with an attack from strangers, but as I prayed through that, I got a new strength that moment and told God I would be ready to die if I had to. Well, I am not martyr material, but in times like that, God gives us extraordinary courage! Praise God He reversed the situation and I was able to get out of it unharmed.
Our enemies try the tactics of intimidation. Many times, it is an act to force us to subjugation, so fear not or you will be their victim. Isaiah 60:14: “The children of your oppressors will come bowing before you; all who despise you will bow down at your feet…..” It is not that we want our enemies to bow down at our feet, but certainly acknowledgement of them realizing they cannot mess with us because God is with us is certainly something. I know we live in an age where a lot of people stopped believing in God due to disappointments. In fact, when people do whatever they want, they don’t believe in Him even though they pretend to be religious. However, God shows Himself up in many situations, especially in the lives of those who acknowledge Him.
They did not burn, came out, got favor because of the supernatural miracle and validity that God protected them. The king started to worship God! In the fires of trial in life, God gives you your breakthrough when you stand strong.
Rita
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