Tag: fiery trial
Day 5–Jesus With You In the Fire
Scripture reading for June 12: Daniel 3:24-25 “And these three men, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, fell bound into the burning fiery furnace. Then King Nebuchadnezzar was astonished and rose up in haste. He declared to his counselors, “Did we not cast three men bound into the fire?” They answered and said to the king, “True, O king.” He answered and said, “But I see four men unbound, walking in the midst of the fire, and they are not hurt; and the appearance of the fourth is like a son of the gods.”
Have you ever had a day when it felt like you were thrown into a fiery furnace with no way out? Possibly the enemy of your soul painted a picture of consuming flames and humiliating defeat. You chose to stand firm in faith, not knowing for sure how it would end for you. But God’s presence took you through the leaping flames and brought you out of the furnace without even a smell of smoke.
This was the case of three young Hebrew men who refused to bow in worship to an idol set up by the king of Babylon. They were threatened with a painful death in flames of fire if they would not bow and worship the idol. They were mocked by the king for trusting their ‘god’ to deliver them. But they chose to fear God, Who could also cast their souls into a real eternal hell, instead of fearing man who could only kill their bodies. God miraculously delivered them and also revealed His love and mercy to the king of Babylon by allowing him to see a fourth man in the fire and hear the young men’s testimony.
When we choose to put our lives in God’s hands, He then can use everything, good or evil, for His purposes and glory. This principle is comforting for those in emergency services where we sometimes face these fiery trials that threaten our faith and confidence. We need reminded that God is ever-present in our time of trial and is with us in the fire. He will work out everything for our good and His glory.
Prayer: Father God, I am thankful for the assurance that I am never alone when I find myself in the midst of a fiery trial. By faith, I can trust You that You will work out all for good to all involved. Strengthen my faith each day as I walk with You through the fire. Amen.
The common bond of the brotherhood
Scripture reading for October 13th: 1st Peter 5, Psalm 55, Proverbs 19
1st Peter 5:6-11 “Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God so that at the proper time He may exalt you, casting all your anxieties on Him, because He cares for you. Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. Resist him, firm in your faith, knowing that the same kinds of suffering are being experienced by your brotherhood throughout the world. And after you have suffered a little while, the God of all grace, Who has called you to His eternal glory in Christ, will Himself restore, confirm, strengthen, and establish you. To Him be the dominion forever and ever. Amen.”
In this life, we as believers will face trials, persecution, and suffering. We are to humbly accept that God is sovereign over every area of our lives and look to Him in daily prayer. Peter tells the Church to cast all their anxieties on the Lord because God cares for each person. He warns the believers that they have an adversary that is not flesh and blood: the devil. Faith is the weapon of choice in dealing with demonic power. We also are to recognize that satanic attacks and trials of our faith are common to all believers in all the world. God hears each one’s cries and will save and deliver them at the proper time: “a little while.” In the mean time, we are to keep watch and pray in faith. Our Lord will deliver us ‘in a little while’ and we will rule and reign with Him forever and ever! Amen!
Psalm 55:16-18 “But I call to God, and the Lord will save me. Evening and morning and at noon I utter my complaint and moan, and He hears my voice. He redeems my soul in safety from the battle that I wage, for many are arrayed against me.”
Prayer: Father God, I often fret about the trouble in this world. Forgive me for my lack of faith and failure to gain understanding from your Word. I am slowly learning to cast all my anxieties on You and trusting in Your care for me and others. Thank You that You do care for each believer around the world that is undergoing a fiery trial. Empower me to pray for them and keep watch and warn of the devil’s attacks.
Proverbs 19:11 “Good sense makes one slow to anger, and it is his glory to overlook an offense.”