. . . THE LORD WILL FIGHT FOR YOU!
We do not need to defend ourselves before you. If we are thrown into the blazing furnace, the God Whom we serve is able to save us. He will rescue us from your power. But even if He doesn’t, we want to make it clear to you, [King Nebuchadnezzar], that we will never serve your gods or worship the gold statue that you have set up. (Daniel 3:16-18, NLT)
This is the story of Hananiah, Mishael and Azariah. They are captives in a place called Babylon. These three young men believe in the God of the Bible. And now they are facing the greatest test of their faith. Will they bow down and worship a heathen king or be killed in a fiery furnace?
What would you do? Many of us have never faced a challenge that would result in us dying for our faith. But it is a sobering thought.
Hananiah, Mishael and Azariah’s response, We do not need to defend ourselves before you . . . We will never serve your gods or worship the gold statue that you have set up.
Every believer in Jesus Christ needs to know and understand that his or her faith will be challenged at some point. This challenge can come in all sorts of ways. It might be an illness or an economic catastrophe. Or you may experience physical, mental, or emotional persecution. Maybe it is the death of a loved one (We cannot tell you how many believers become angry with God when a loved one dies or is murdered. They blame God, harden their hearts and walk away from their salvation.) Some believers are forced to make a decision whether to remain faithful to God or to go along with their unbelieving family members or friends. When they choose God, it appears that they have no one. And the list goes on . . . You fill in the blanks.
When You Belong to GOD . . .
Every believer will have such a moment. Some will have several – a moment of intense struggle. And the question is, What will you do?
The young men remained faithful to God. This decision resulted in them being condemned to die. The method of death-a burning fire that was made so incredibly hot that the men throwing them in were burnt up themselves. Yet, Hananiah, Mishael and Azariah survived.
Despite being tied together. Dressed in all their clothing. Thrown to the floor of the furnace. They survived. Not only did the three survive, the young men did not even smell like smoke.
What did the king see? Obviously he expected to see ashes. Not only did he see that the three were up and walking around-untied, unsinged, unscorched – He saw a fourth person in the fire with them, JESUS.
Never Alone
No believer is ever alone in his or her challenge. Even the Missionary or Evangelist who is working for God in that country where he or she faces death continually is not alone. JESUS is right there with you.
Only believe and have the confidence of the Hebrew boys to trust GOD. Will you do that? Can you do that?
Then Nebuchadnezzar the king was [astonished], and rose up [quickly], and [spoke], and said unto his counsellors, “Did not we [throw] three men bound into the midst of the fire?” They answered and said unto the king, “True, O king.” He answered and said, “Lo, I see four men loose, walking in the midst of the fire, and they have no hurt; and the form of the fourth is like the Son of God.” (Daniel 3:24-25, KJV)
God Has Spoken Ministry (GHSM); Celebrating God: The Father, The Son and The Holy Ghost!