“There are certain Jews who thou has set over the affairs of the Province of Babylon, Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego; these men O King have not regarded thee: they serve not thy gods, nor worship the golden image which thou has set up. Then Nebuchadnezzar in his rage and fury commanded to bring Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego. Then they brought these men before the king.” – Daniel 3:12-13
Nebuchadnezzar in his fury and rage asked the three Hebrew boys,
“Who is that God who is able to deliver you out of my hands?” – Daniel 3:15
Their answer was straightforward and blunt:
“If it is to be, our God whom we are serving is able to rescue us out of the burning fiery furnace and out of your hand, O King, he will rescue us. But if not, let it become 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
Know that God is in the battle even before we get into the battle
Whatever challenges you are facing as Christians – family issues, health, lack, instability, no helpers, joblessness, limitation, loss – whatever the perceived threat to you, it is not bigger than our God.
God has already made a way
The three Hebrew boys boldly declared that even if they were not rescued, they would not bow down and worship the golden calf. They demonstrated unwavering faith; the kind of unwavering faith that we Christians are supposed to demonstrate in the midst of the most difficult challenges we face.
God’s Word is indisputable. He says that he will protect us and deliver us.
“When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and through the rivers, they shall not overflow you. When you walk through the fire, you shall not be burned, nor shall the flame scorch you.” – Isaiah 43:2
Sometimes, we assume that because we say we believe in God, that we are exempt from battles. Not so.
“Beloved, do not think it strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you as though some strange thing happened to you…glorify God in this matter.” – 1 Peter 4:12
Adversity is the womb in which miracles are born
Real faith comes forth in the furnace of adversity. No matter what happens, stay in the battle. If nothing else, the battle reveals your strength and abilities. How else would we believers know how strong we are? How else would we know our hardness, tenacity and ability to endure.
The devil’s strategy is to use whatever is close to you as a means to ensnare you
Be wise! In Philippians 4:7, we are reminded that God is able to keep our hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. Therefore when the heat gets hotter, that is not the time to compromise. Without a doubt, whatsoever you compromise to achieve’ that you will lose.
Simply stand for God and God will stand for you. Obedience to God provokes his favor.
Here are ten things to remember
- In every battle, God is always there as Jehovah Shammah
- In the midst of the battle you will receive the mercy of God
- There is deliverance through the battle: Psalm 23
- There is deliverance from the battles of life: Daniel 3
- When you are in the midst of the fire, God will be the “fire extinguisher”; the fourth man in the fire: Daniel 3:25
- Never surrender: Philippians 4:7
- Hold your peace. Anger rests in the bosom of fools: Ecclesiastes 7:9
- Go back to the Word of God. Read his Word and it will strengthen you: Romans 10:17
- Declare, “I am blessed and highly favored”: Luke 1:28
- Let the Holy Spirit lead you: John 14:16
You are blessed in Jesus name.
*This message was preached by Pastor Wale Oluwanusi, Senior Pastor at Rock of Ages Ministries, New York. If you wish to contact us or schedule an appointment to meet with our Pastor, submit a Prayer Request or Testimony, you may do so through the respective links. You may also leave us comments or questions in the comment section below.