Fiery Trials Bring Exceeding Joy

O. T. #1977  "Fiery Trials Bring Exceeding Joy"

July 7, 2021

Daniel 3

LET IT GLOW

We don't know how much time lapsed after Daniel and his friends were promoted. Perhaps it was 20 years. Anyway, Nebuchadnezzar, king of Babylon, made a golden image hollow inside and about 90 feet tall and 9 feet wide, which was undoubtedly seen for miles as it stood on the plain of Dura. He called his administrators to the dedication of the image. (Apparently, Daniel was away, maybe on business, for he is not mentioned here.) the list of officials include those in civil, military, and religious offices. The commanded that all people would bow down to the image when they heard the music. Also, there were consequences if anyone did not do so:

And whoso falleth not down and worshippeth shall the same hour be cast into the midst of a burning fiery furnace. (verse 6)

This command was in violation of God's second commandment (Exodus 20:4-5). The masses generally obeyed when their life was at stake. All bowed to the image, idol, except the three Hebrew boys. It would have been quite noticeable, wouldn't you say? this was reported to the king. The tattle tales ran to the king, wouldn't you say?

They paid no attention to you, king, for they refused to serve your gods and do not worship the gold statue you have set up. What an accusation.  Jealousy dripped from the reporters since those foreigners had attained high positions despite their being only captives.

The word worship appears 11 times in this chapter. It refers to prostrate oneself (in homage); fall down to worship. Haven't we lost the position during our worship of God? Will we not humble our self, being vulnerable to worship the Almighty God?

What would we have done? Even when we knew we would be thrown into a fiery furnace to die, how would we have reacted? Would we disobey the will of a political king to remain faithful to our God? It may come to this one day in our nation. 

LET IT GROW

Dear one, are you going through a fiery trial in your life now? How are you doing?

The devil tempts us to destroy our faith, but God tests us to develop our faith. A faith that can't be tested can't be trusted. False faith withers in times of trial, but true faith takes deeper root, grows, and brings glory to God.

1 Peter 1:7  tells us: That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honor and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ.

Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened unto you: But rejoice, inasmuch as ye are partakers of Christ's sufferings; that, when His glory shall be revealed, ye may be glad also with exceeding joy. (1 Peter 4:12-13)

 

LET IT GO

My God is able to save, deliver, and heal.

Help us come through those fiery trials giving You glory.

Fill us with exceeding joy, Jesus.

Grow our faith in You.

Keep us humble as we serve You, Jesus.