Daily devotion – Monday 19th July 2021
Daniel 3: 8 But some of the astrologers went to the king and informed on the Jews. 9 They said to King Nebuchadnezzar, “Long live the king! 10 You issued a decree requiring all the people to bow down and worship the gold statue when they hear the sound of the horn, flute, zither, lyre, harp, pipes, and other musical instruments. 11 That decree also states that those who refuse to obey must be thrown into a blazing furnace. 12 But there are some Jews—Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego—whom you have put in charge of the province of Babylon. They pay no attention to you, Your Majesty. They refuse to serve your gods and do not worship the gold statue you have set up.”
The world is changing rapidly and certainly not for the better. As followers of Christ we must expect such and indeed God’s Word tells us that in these Last Days perilous times will come.
Three young men who are immortalised in the Book of Daniel – Shadrach, Meshach and Abed-nego found themselves in a foreign land and in perilous times. A literal fiery trial!
But they did not come out of the fiery trial until they were ordered out – Daniel 3:26 – Then Nebuchadnezzar came as close as he could to the door of the flaming furnace and shouted: “Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, servants of the Most High God, come out! Come here!”
So Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego stepped out of the fire – because they preferred walking in the fire with the Lord to sitting in the safety of the shade without Him.
What happened the fourth man who was seen in the furnace with these three young men of God?
He remained in the fire – Dan 3:25 “Look!” he answered, “I see four men loose, walking in the midst of the fire; and they are not hurt, and the form of the fourth is like the Son of God.”
Where is Jesus – the fourth Man today?
In the fire.
We often have a tendency to try to avoid the fire whenever possible, and it is a great mistake. Should we be masochists? Definitely not!
But I am saying that it is in the fire, when times are tough, when your heart is troubled and breaking, that Jesus is the most visible!
It is then that He is the most real in your life and especially the most precious.
Acts 14:22 – They encouraged them to continue in the faith, reminding them that we must suffer many hardships to enter the Kingdom of God.