PLEASE READ THIS FIRST: Daniel 3-4
What do you sense the Lord saying to you in this passage?
“Look! I see four men walking around in the fire…” (Daniel 3:25)
We live in a sin-messed world, yet we claim that Jesus has overcome the world.
We still struggle with sin in our hearts, and sinful powers still rule the world.
We live by faith, and not by what we see around us; we trust God, not humanity.
Today’s stories remind us that the Lord stands with as and overcomes for us.
Nebuchadnezzar is “great and strong” (4:22), but he is not truly in charge.
He is like a mighty tree, but he will be chopped down.
He sends these 3 men into the fire, but he cannot endure the fire himself.
The Lord of the Universe stands with his humble servants, even in the fire.
He steps into our sin-messed world, and guarantees our victory over it.
Kingdoms rise and fall, and rulers with them, but the Lord remains standing through it all.
The fires of war, plague, natural disaster, injustice, famine and death burn all around us.
But he is the fourth man in the fire, protecting us from perishing.
Even if we die, we will not perish, for we will be delivered from evil into life.
Do you see Jesus standing with you in the fire, assuring you of your eternal victory?
PRAYER
Lord, right now I see the mess in the world and the church too… and I do not see the messiah standing with us, leading us through the mess. Help me to see you standing with me/us in the fire.
God’s will be done and submitted to: “But even if he does not, we want you to know, Your Majesty, that we will not serve your gods or worship the image of gold you have set up.” And later, Nebuchadnezzar : “Now I, Nebuchadnezzar, praise and exalt and glorify the King of heaven, because everything he does is right and all his ways are just. And those who walk in pride he is able to humble.” Human pride gets in the way — rather when I walk in step with who God created me to be is when I am blessed and can be a source of blessing. N had to acknowledge that – he did the first time with Daniel, then after the fire experience with S, M & A – and then despite Daniel’s warning, after the 7 years of living like a while beast – N acknowledge and gives a wonderful Psalm of praise to God!
“But if not”, we will still praise the Lord. Help us be this faithful, even when Your answers are no!