TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 14, 2023
A CUE FROM SHADRACH, MESHACH AND ABEDNEGO – Pastor Chris
…O Nebuchadnezzar…our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the burning fiery furnace, and he will deliver us out of thine hand, O king. But if not, be it known unto thee, O king, that we will not serve thy gods, nor worship the golden image which thou hast set up (Daniel 3:16-18).
Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego were threatened by the government of the day to bow down to the king’s golden image or burn in the fiery furnace. They refused to compromise, choosing rather to die than to cower. Their inspiring statement of conviction and absolute commitment to the Lord is what we read in our theme scripture.
Their unwavering faith in God infuriated the king who ordered that they be thrown into the fiery furnace. The fire was so intense that it burnt and killed the men that threw them in. Howbeit, Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego were unscathed. The Lord protected them.
When Nebuchadnezzar noticed they were unhurt by the blazing furnace, he repented and declared, “…Blessed be the God of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, who hath sent his angel, and delivered his servants that trusted in him…Therefore I make a decree, That every people, nation, and language, which speak any thing amiss against the God of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, shall be cut in pieces, and their houses shall be made a dunghill: because there is no other God that can deliver after this sort” (Daniel 3:28-29).
That’s what happens when you stand your ground in faith, in spite of fierce and daunting opposition. Soon enough, your detractors will be inspired by your faith and convictions, which could lead to their salvation. So, serve God with your life.
Your job may be taken away from you for preaching the Gospel, but they can’t take away the joy of the Lord that’s in your spirit. They may liquidate your company, but they can’t liquidate your spirit. God is able! Trust Him. Never find yourself apologetic, intimidated, or reluctant to express your convictions about Christ and the message of the Gospel. He’s greater than any government, institution or power. He’s the Monarch of the universe.
Therefore, stand your ground for Him in faith. Take a cue from Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego.
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CONFESSIONThe Word of God is in my spirit so strong; it’s as fire shut up in my bones and nothing can hinder the affirmation of my faith and my proclamation of the Gospel of Christ. I’m strengthened and energized by the Holy Spirit who lives in me, and He’s made me an absolute victor. Blessed be God!
FURTHER STUDY:
Daniel 3:16-30
Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, answered and said to the king, O Nebuchadnezzar, we [are] not careful to answer thee in this matter. 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 thine hand, O king. But if not, be it known unto thee, O king, that we will not serve thy gods, nor worship the golden image which thou hast set up. Then was Nebuchadnezzar full of fury, and the form of his visage was changed against Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego: [therefore] he spake, and commanded that they should heat the furnace one seven times more than it was wont to be heated. And he commanded the most mighty men that [were] in his army to bind Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, [and] to cast [them] into the burning fiery furnace. Then these men were bound in their coats, their hosen, and their hats, and their [other] garments, and were cast into the midst of the burning fiery furnace. Therefore because the king’s commandment was urgent, and the furnace exceeding hot, the flame of the fire slew those men that took up Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego. And these three men, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, fell down bound into the midst of the burning fiery furnace. Then Nebuchadnezzar the king was astonied, and rose up in haste, [and] spake, and said unto his counsellors, Did not we cast three men bound into the midst of the fire? They answered and said unto the king, True, O king. He answered and said, Lo, I see four men loose, walking in the midst of the fire, and they have no hurt; and the form of the fourth is like the Son of God. Then Nebuchadnezzar came near to the mouth of the burning fiery furnace, [and] spake, and said, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, ye servants of the most high God, come forth, and come [hither]. Then Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, came forth of the midst of the fire. And the princes, governors, and captains, and the king’s counsellors, being gathered together, saw these men, upon whose bodies the fire had no power, nor was an hair of their head singed, neither were their coats changed, nor the smell of fire had passed on them. [Then] Nebuchadnezzar spake, and said, Blessed [be] the God of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, who hath sent his angel, and delivered his servants that trusted in him, and have changed the king’s word, and yielded their bodies, that they might not serve nor worship any god, except their own God. Therefore I make a decree, That every people, nation, and language, which speak any thing amiss against the God of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, shall be cut in pieces, and their houses shall be made a dunghill: because there is no other God that can deliver after this sort. Then the king promoted Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, in the province of Babylon.
Psalm 91:2-11
I will say of the LORD, [He is] my refuge and my fortress: my God; in him will I trust. Surely he shall deliver thee from the snare of the fowler, [and] from the noisome pestilence. He shall cover thee with his feathers, and under his wings shalt thou trust: his truth [shall be thy] shield and buckler. Thou shalt not be afraid for the terror by night; [nor] for the arrow [that] flieth by day; [Nor] for the pestilence [that] walketh in darkness; [nor] for the destruction [that] wasteth at noonday. A thousand shall fall at thy side, and ten thousand at thy right hand; [but] it shall not come nigh thee. Only with thine eyes shalt thou behold and see the reward of the wicked. Because thou hast made the LORD, [which is] my refuge, [even] the most High, thy habitation; There shall no evil befall thee, neither shall any plague come nigh thy dwelling. For he shall give his angels charge over thee, to keep thee in all thy ways.
DAILY SCRIPTURE READING
1-Year Bible Reading Plan: Hebrews 11:17-40 & Ezekiel 8-10
2-Year Bible Reading Plan: John 12:1-11 & 1 Chronicles 14
