Devoted to sharing the Word of God - in uplifting, informative and encouraging posts.
" It is the spirit that quickeneth; the flesh profiteth nothing: the words that I speak unto you, they are spirit, and they are life." John 6:63

Saturday 22 January 2022

Encouragement in the Fire

( Planned to do another post, but no, this almost complete one, like a few others, is curiously the one!
 It’s such blessed thought! Trust it blesses you also, started about 6 mths or so ago.)

Hi there everyone!
I do love to find encouragement in the walk of those who’ve gone before, like the heroes of the Faith in Hebrews 11. 
However, today we’re heading briefly to the OT, to the book of Daniel. 
Daniel is the first the fourteen minor prophets, and it simply full of hope and promise in the midst of trials.

So we see these three young men, possibly in their 20’s: Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, who hold onto their belief in God, even when threatened with a fiery death. 
Their story serves as inspiration for those who question their faith, or who face hardship for their beliefs.

Three young exiles were arrested in Babylon for not obeying  the kings command, to bow worship his golden idol. This was their reply of faith.
 
Dan 3:17-18
“If it be so, our God whom we serve is ABLE to deliver us from the burning fiery furnace, and he will deliver us out of thine hand, O king.
**BUT if not, be it known unto thee, O king, that we will NOT serve thy gods, nor worship the golden image..”

I was pondering these three young men. 
I thought, why them?
I'm sure there were other believers in Babylon.
*****
The prophet Elijah thought he was the only follower of Jaweh, the LORD God, left: 
".. I, even I only, am left; and they seek my life, to take it away." 
1 King 19:14b

But no! the LORD God said:
"Yet I have left me seven thousand in Israel, 
all the knees which have not bowed unto Baal
and every mouth which hath not kissed him."
1 Kings 19:18

So I wonder how many others before these three friends had refused to bow the knee and suffered the deadly consequences? 
Of course, this brief story of Daniel’s friends does not share it.
However I’m rather sure there were others who’d died before, as their reply seems to indicate:

“If it be so, our God whom we serve is ABLE to deliver us….” 

“IF IT BE SO …”
“If it be so” ie God willing, He may, as He IS able to rescue us.
However, this rescue seems it happened to none other at this time but to these three.
*****
Compare this to the leper Naaman, Jesus Himself spoke of the uniqueness of Naaman’s healing.
And many lepers were in Israel in the time of Eliseus the prophet;
 and none of them was cleansed, saving Naaman the Syrian. Luke 4:27

The mercy and grace of the Lord is ours. 
If we but ask in faith in Jesus’ name. 

Ye have not because ye ask not, James says that ye may consume it upon your own lust. (See James 4:3,4 - here)

However by the same token if attitude is wrong πŸ˜‘, God will not give it.

For he saith to Moses, I will have mercy on whom I will have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I will have compassion.

So then it is not of him that willeth, 
nor of him that runneth, 
but of God that sheweth mercy.

For the scripture saith unto Pharaoh
Even for this same purpose have I raised thee up, that I might shew my power in thee, and that my name might be declared throughout all the earth.

Therefore hath he mercy on whom he will have mercy, and whom he will he hardeneth. Romans 9:15-18

I notice two things, God’s glory is the reason, for His mercy being manifest. 
❤️ Heart is key, our three lad’s hearts were in the right place.

As I think upon this passage I pray earnestly for the youth of today! 

“For unto whomsoever much is given, 
of him shall much is required”.. - see here Luke 12:48).

We who are older in the faith have a huge responsibility 
- to PRAY WITHOUT CEASING for those coming along after.

We must intercede for younger ones in faith as our Saviour did for us, how He loves us! This eternal prayer is as fresh as when it was prayed for you and I!
Do love John 17, the might of Christ’s love and yearning intercession at work! 
If we fail to hold the ropes in prayer, their shipwreck may well be laid at our door. 
For unto whomsoever much is given, of him much shall be required! 

Just think of those who had prayed for these three lads? 
They were faithful to pray, may we go and do likewise.
Hymn here if not showing.

Face to face with Christ, my Savior
Face to face, what will it be?
When with rapture I behold him
Jesus Christ who died for me
Face to face shall I behold him
Far beyond the starry sky
Face to face in all his glory
I shall see him by and by
Only faintly now I see him
With the darkened veil between
But a blessed day is coming
When his glory shall be seen
Face to face shall I behold him
Far beyond the starry sky
Face to face in all his glory
I shall see him by and by
Face to face, oh, blissful moment
Face to face, to see and know
Face to face with my Redeemer
Jesus Christ who loved me so
Face to face shall I behold him
Far beyond the starry sky
Face to face in all his glory
I shall see him (I shall see Him)
By and by (Him by and by)

(To read the story behind this hymn see See here.)

1 John 3:2 goes with this hymn in my mind, and curiously they’ve put it at the end of the video too, however if you read the above post it was not written for this verse, but 1 Cor 13:12.

Beloved, now are we the sons of God, 
and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: 
but we know that, when he shall appear,
 we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is. 1John 3:2

That I am so very much looking forward, to seeing Jesus and being like Him, that will indeed be JOY… JOY TO COME!
Let us look up, for our redemption draweth nigh. 

Perhaps today, LORD Jesus. Perhaps, today!

O Father God, please keep our eyes looking up to our wonderful Saviour, let our hearts be fixed on Thee, or as the hymn writer said “let my soul look up in a STEADFAST HOPE, and my will be lost in Thine.” 
In Jesus’ precious name, I pray these things, for all dear ones out there, Amen.

Thanks to all who pop across to read this blog and Thank YOU, especially if you’re able to leave some love and encouragement.
Prayer hugs,πŸ™πŸ€—
Shaz in Oz.x 

If you are not sure if you are a Christian, a Christ follower, please read this post here - Who or What is a Christian?

PS. If you haven’t I'd love it you to join as a wonderful encourager
of this blog ...  link HERE.  Thank YOU to those who have done so already. It really encourages me to keep on. 😊

If you'd like these posts in your inbox, you can add your email to email link option on side bar. If you're on a mobile device on which there is no sidebar, then scroll down and select "View Web Version" at very bottom of post. This will bring up sidebar and "follow by email" link, which is on the top of sidebar. Thank YOU

8 comments:

Martha Jane Orlando said...

In the online service I'm following each Sunday, the pastor is currently highlighting the Book of Daniel. Oh, what a rich and vibrant resource it is! We must remember always, that things happen because God is willing, not us, and depend upon Him for our all and all.
Blessings, Shaz!

Anne said...

Another powerful post Sis! The book of Daniel is so rich and deep in meaning and so encouraging. Merci!

Crafting With Jack said...

A great post thank you. Blessings x

Cheryl said...

I know why God had you pull this post out and made it be "the one" for today. I am so sick and in such need of His help in so many ways. This was a great encouragement to me. I appreciate you, dear sister. Please always keep on keeping on here at your blog. You are making a difference for God and are a great comfort.

Betsy said...

Thank you for this post today Shaz. As I was opening the computer I was singing a song called "They wouldn't bow, They wouldn't bend, They wouldn't burn." Guess who it's about? Our three boys, Shadrach, Meeshak and Abednego. God works in wonderful ways.
Thank you again Shaz for always giving us such encouraging words. May God Bless You and Make His Face Shine On You my friend.
Blessings and hugs,
Betsy

Sunshine Country said...

So many encouraging things to consider in this post. I have thought about that at times, how Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego were not the only children of God at that time in history - yet they experienced something unique that others did not. It's such a comforting picture of how our Lord is with us in any fiery trials we go through! May the Lord's continued blessings be upon you in your life. Thank you for sharing!

kiwimeskreations said...

Another great post Shaz, and with great encouragement for the believer.
I smiled when I saw you referenced Daniel, as I recently preached on him and his stand, that saw him in the lions pit - as he would not bow down to any other than God!
Stay safe
Blessings
Maxine

Cheryl’s Sunlit Pathway said...

We learn through so many who have gone before us if we are willing to apply what scripture shows us of their great faith. A faith worth living or dying for if it comes to that.I love the hymn you posted. It takes me back in time as do many of the hymns. Thanks for sharing