Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego were three faithful servants of God who were taken into Babylonian captivity by King Nebuchadnezzar. When the king issued a decree stating that everyone in his kingdom had to bow down and worship his golden idol or be thrown into a fiery furnace, these three young Hebrew men refused. The king was so furious with their disobedience that he ordered that the furnace be turned up seven times hotter than usual. The soldiers who threw the young Hebrews into the furnace were killed instantly. But while Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego were inside the oven, they were visited by a heavenly deliverer and escaped unharmed. Scholars differ concerning the "fourth man" in the furnace. Some say it was an angel, others a pre-incarnate appearance of Christ. In either case, God rescued His faithful servants from certain destruction.
The above verses have gotten me through some of the most difficult times of my life. They have inspired me to believe in God's miracle-working, delivering power. At the same time, they have inspired me to commit myself to be faithful to God and trust Him during tests and trials, even if He chooses not to rescue me. Look at it this way--if God rescued us from trouble every time, we wouldn't need faith. Not only that, but many people would end up serving God only because doing so would guarantee them trouble-free lives. The truth is that we will never know for sure on this side of eternity why God sometimes allows His people to suffer adversity. But it's my prayer that you will take comfort in knowing that when you are in the midst of your trials, there will be a "fourth man" with you--and His name is Jesus!
Prayer: Lord, I must confess that I don't always understand why You often allow
those who are devoted to you to experience suffering. Please quiet my
doubts and fears with the reassurance that only comes from You. Give me the
faith to declare Your ability and willingness to deliver me from harm. But
also, give me the grace to stand firm and faithful when You choose not to
rescue me. Thank You, Jesus, that when trouble comes, You'll be by my side!
Tyrone Crawford Wins Best Performing Artist Award at the International Christian Film and Music Festival Mon, 06 May 2024 19:55:00 EST |
The Charon Collective Proudly Welcomes Before There Was Rosalyn To The Family Mon, 06 May 2024 18:10:00 EST |
Malcolm Du Plessis And Tommy Sims Partner With Common Hymnal To Deliver "Gravitas" LP Mon, 06 May 2024 17:50:00 EST |
PFR Launch GoFundMe Campaign in Support of New Studio Album! Fri, 03 May 2024 22:40:00 EST |
Trampolines Brings Hope and Humanitarian Aid to War-Torn Ukraine Fri, 03 May 2024 22:20:00 EST |
Zaq Monroe Defines Faith in Action with Punk-Flavored Hip-Hop Single, "The Outsiders" Fri, 03 May 2024 22:00:00 EST |
Crowder Earns His Fifth No. 1 with "Grave Robber"; New Single Out Today Fri, 03 May 2024 16:20:00 EST |
New Studies Link Improved Mental Health to Use of Digitally-Delivered Faith and Prayer Thu, 02 May 2024 20:42:48 +0000 |
DAD TIRED FOUNDER JERRAD LOPES EXPANDS POPULAR MINISTRY WITH DEBUT CHILDREN’S TITLE Wed, 10 Apr 2024 17:07:46 +0000 |
“Anything Goes” by Andrew Kerhoulas of Brother K Thu, 04 Apr 2024 02:54:00 +0000 |