LEARNING DAILY

 

Daniel 3:16-18, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-Nego answered and said to the king, “O Nebuchadnezzar, we have no need to answer you in this matter. If that is the case our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the burning furnace and He will deliver us from your hand, O king. But if not, let it be known to you, O king, that we do not serve your gods, nor will we worship to gold image which you have set up.”

 

I love the third chapter of Daniel.  I know I have written on these verses before and probably will again.  There is so much hope offered here.  The hope is centered in knowing God promises to provide for His people in the midst of the circumstances they find themselves in.  There are times I would like to have God spare me of the “fire” but that is not the promise.  The three above knew God could prevent them from the burning furnace; they also knew He could be trusted to “escort them to heaven or allow them to live another day” (DJSB).

 

You and I have our good times and our bad times.  You know what I mean; each of us have different types of stress that weighs heavily on what we think, say, and do.  There are times when we cannot even determine the cause of those difficult times.  Those are tougher times for me because I don’t resemble Christ as I desire.  The three Hebrews rose above the ugly threats from King Nebuchadnezzar and would not compromise their integrity nor their personal convictions.  Notice their bold witness and their commitment to God.  During this entire situation their hope and faith was centered on the One who was with them and able to provide for them. 

 

I really like the statement, “But if not”.  What an expression of unconditional faith that trusted and obeyed God regardless of their circumstances. That is the faith and trust in God I want in every situation I face.  It is knowing God can remove anything I am going through, “but if He doesn’t” I can trust Him to be with me as I go through whatever it is. I often wonder what God want me to learn as I go through various circumstances? I have found that these are the times I grow in knowledge and understanding of who He is and His great love for me. But even more, I believe these are times to offer Him praise and thanksgiving for being with me.

 

Charlotte and I went to the church our daughter and her family attend awhile back. One of the songs sung was a song by MercyMe.  I am going to close with the chorus.

                               

                                 I know You're able and I know You can

                                 Save through the fire with Your mighty hand

                                 But even if You don't

                                 My hope is You alone

                                 I know the sorrow, and I know the hurt

                                Would all go away if You'd just say the word

                                But even if You don't

                                My hope is You alone.

 

Do you find yourself in difficult times right now?  If so, try being thankful that the Creator of all things knows about it and is right there with you.  Give Him the praise for that know ing that you are in His wonderful hands!

By the way, the three went into the burning furnace. But when they did, the fourth man showed up. He always does when we walk by faith and trust in Him!

 

From now on DJSB will be used to note information or quotes from the David Jeremiah Study Bible and LSSB will refer to information and quotes from the Life in the Spirit Study Bible.  I have added Jimmy Swaggart’s Expositor’s Study Bible to be referred to from now on as JSESB