Unwavering Faith

~~~ Daniel 3:14-20, 91-92, 95 ~~~
~~~ (Psalm) Daniel 3:52, 53, 54, 55, 56 ~~~

~~~ John 8:31-42 ~~~

Glory and praise for ever!

Meshach, Shadrach and Abednego were condemned
 to be burned alive in the fiery furnace for refusing
 to worship the bronze idol.

They willing accepted their sentence
believing that God could save them if he so desired.

They silently prayed as they were being bound
 and carried to the raging fire.

Imagine their surprise and awe when there appears an angel
 from God protecting them from the painful
consuming flames.

Abednego finds it fitting to begin his prayer of praise for God.
Excerpts from his prayer are used in place of one of the psalms.

This is a great prayer of praise
in the midst of not just a storm but a fire storm.

No matter how bad things get
can you still find some way to praise God?

These three men had strong faith but when they encountered
the angel of the Lord their faith itself was ignited
beyond understanding.

What would it take to truly ignite your faith?

Would your faith increase if you were caught
 in a personal storm fire?

These three brave men have so much to teach us about faith.

They exemplify unwavering faith.
They were willing to endure excruciating pain
rather than worship a false idol.

They refused to deny the one true God.

I wonder how they prepared themselves
to take such a stand.
It is obvious that they did not discover their faith
when they refused to worship the false god.

After the fire, how were these three men different.
God delivered them from certain death.
They did not become important preachers or teachers.

Would your faith override every other action and desire?
Would you be willing to give up your life for God?

Many today are still being killed for their faith.

This is the time to question your own faith.
What do you believe?
What would never be a deal changer?
Would you compromise your faith?

Praise God with the words used for today's psalm...

R. (52b) Glory and praise for ever!
“Blessed are you, O Lord, the God of our fathers,
praiseworthy and exalted above all forever;
And blessed is your holy and glorious name,
praiseworthy and exalted above all for all ages.”
R. Glory and praise for ever!
“Blessed are you in the temple of your holy glory,
praiseworthy and exalted above all forever.
R. Glory and praise for ever!
“Blessed are you on the throne of your kingdom,
praiseworthy and exalted above all forever.”
R. Glory and praise for ever!
“Blessed are you who look into the depths
from your throne upon the cherubim;
praiseworthy and exalted above all forever.”
R. Glory and praise for ever!
“Blessed are you in the firmament of heaven,
praiseworthy and glorious forever.”

Blessed to praise him in good times
and in bad times.

~~~Peace~~~