August 7-guest post by Pamela

Today's reading from the One Year Bible Chronological Reading Plan is Daniel 2-3, Jeremiah 7-8:3

Scripture:

²⁶ Nebuchadnezzar then approached the opening of the blazing furnace and shouted, "Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego, servants of the Most High God, come out! Come here!"

So Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego came out of the fire, ²⁷ and the satraps, prefects, governors and royal advisers crowded around them. They saw that the fire had not harmed their bodies, nor was a hair of their heads singed; their robes were not scorched, and there was no smell of fire on them.

Observation: With God, even the impossible is possible.

Application: Can you imagine witnessing this event first hand? What an amazing testament to the power of God to overcome every obstacle. I am in awe of the faith and courage it took for Shadrach, Meshach, and Abendago to refuse to compromise even in the face of rage and death. I thought that the fire was an appropriate symbol for just how angry the King was when he was not in control. His rage grew and he ordered the fire to be seven times hotter than usual. In fact his rage was so out of control that he killed his own men who accompanied the three into the furnace. (This is not unlike our own fired up anger that sometimes engulfs people not even connected to the source of our rage). What the king didn't realize was that God could handle anything the king tried to throw at his obedient and faithful servants. However, you would think that the king would have had just a bit of a clue about this when just 1 chapter earlier, God allowed Daniel to reveal and interpret the king's dream. God continues to demonstrate His ability to do the impossible. He will give the power to read minds. He will send angels to protect his servants. He will overcome any human catastrophe and triumph. He will change the mind of a king who wants to kill everyone who does not want to bow to his idol to a king who decrees that everyone should follow the one true God. Awesome.

However, we can't forget that while God is with us through any trials that come our way, we can't ignore that we need to rely on God to get us through the fire.

Nebuchadnezzar heat his furnace as hot as he can, a few minutes will finish the torment of those cast into it; but hell-fire tortures, and yet does not kill. Those who worshipped the beast and his image, have no rest, no pause, no moment free from pain, Revelation 14:10,11. Now was fulfilled in the letter that great promise, Isaiah 43:2, When thou walkest through the fire, thou shalt not be burned. Leaving it to that God who preserved them in the fire, to bring them out, they walked up and down in the midst, supported and encouraged by the presence of the Son of God. Those who suffer for Christ, have his presence in their sufferings, even in the fiery furnace, and in the valley of the shadow of death. (from this commentary)

Prayer: Dear Lord, You make the impossible possible. Sometimes we can't see how it will ever work out and then You, in your amazingly perfect time, make it clear to us that You knew what You were doing all along. Thank you for the sharing the story of these 3 courageous men and their unwillingness to waver in their faith that You would be with them, regardless of what happened. Lord, ignite a fire in us that we might have the same confidence and assurance that whatever trials come our way that we are willing to take them on with Your help. Amen.

Tomorrow's passage: Jeremiah 8:4-11:23