Posted on December 14, 2022 by Elizabeth Welte in Victory Call
“If that is the case, our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the burning fiery 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 the gold image which you have set up.” Daniel 3:17-18
During Israel’s exile in Babylon, Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego refused to bow down to the ninety-foot golden statue erected by King Nebuchadnezzar. Because of their refusal to bow to the idol they faced judgement in the fiery furnace. “But if you do not worship, you shall be cast immediately into the midst of a burning fiery furnace. And who is the god who will deliver you from my hands?” (Daniel 3:15).
In the midst of a land that was riddled with ungodly practices, false gods and idols, they did not compromise their belief in the One True God. Facing the threat of painful judgement they did not let fear seize them. They faced their future with confidence NOT because they thought they would get out of the punishment – though they knew that with God it was a possibility. NO. Their confidence was in a God that deserved their worship regardless of the consequences. They were living a God-centered, God-focused life, not a self-centered, self-focused life.
One of the roots of fear is the question, “How will this affect me?” We can be immobilized with fear if we look to the future from a ME-centered, ME-focused perspective. “What will happen to ME? What will happen to MY loved ones? What lies ahead for ME?”
Let’s take a lesson from our three brothers Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego. Our God whom we love and serve is ABLE to deliver us from whatever lies ahead BUT IF NOT we will keep our eyes fixed on JESUS. We will NOT bow down to anyone or anything other than the ONE TRUE GOD.
We can face the future with confidence because HE IS THE GREAT I AM. HE IS THE ALPHA AND THE OMEGA. HE IS WORTHY OF OUR WORSHIP. HE IS WORTHY OF OUR TRUST. GOD IS OUR GOD. WE CAN FACE THE FUTURE WITH CONFIDENCE BECAUSE GOD IS OUR GOD.
Fear has no place in a heart filled with HIM.
Written by Diane Hunt: Diane Hunt serves on the board of America’s Keswick and is the Executive Director & CEO of Changed Choices, a Christian non-profit in North Carolina. She is also a biblical counselor and women’s event speaker. For more information about having Diane speak at your next event please contact her at dhunt@americaskeswick.org.
Think About This: “I believe in Christ, like I believe in the sun – not because I can see it, but by it I can see everything else.” – C.S. Lewis
The Daily Bible Reading: Amos 1-3; Revelation 5 You can download our 2022 Daily Bible Reading Plan by clicking here.
This Week’s Verse to Memorize: “It is like the dew of Hermon, descending upon the mountains of Zion; For there the Lord commanded the blessing— Life forevermore.” Psalm 133:3
Consider a retreat at America’s Keswick retreat center.
