Based on “When the Heat Gets Turned Up” by Pastor Dean Corns;
8/28-29/10, Message #DC133; Daily Devotional #2 - “A Time to Stand”
Preparing the Soil (Introduction): 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, Your Majesty. But even if he doesn’t, we want to make it clear to you, Your Majesty, that we will never serve your gods or worship the gold statue you have setup. (Daniel 3:17-18, NLT) When I read Scripture, I try to put myself in the shoes of those I read about. Some of the predicaments these people were in are astounding. I often ask myself the question, “If I were in the same position, would I make the same decision?” I would hope that if I were facing the same fate as these three young men, I would be so bold as to take that stand. I think if we are all honest, we would answer, “I don’t know, or I hope so.” Most of us have never had to stand in front of a blazing furnace waiting to be thrown into it. I know I pray each day that my faith would be so strong.
Planting and Watering the Seed (Growth): The book of Daniel takes place after the Babylonian invasion of Judah. The Lord prophesied to His people that unless His people repented and turned from their ways, they would be purged from the land He had promised them (Jeremiah 16:13). If you read the books of the Old Testament prophets, you will see how far the nation of Israel strayed from their God. There was a remnant of people that sought the Lord with their whole heart and followed after Him. We see that in Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego. When everyone else bowed down to the idol—they stood firm. As Pastor Dean said this weekend, we are in the last days. When I see what has been happening in our nation, I am grieved. We are guilty of the same evils. No, we may not have asherah poles in our living rooms, or other little monuments mounted on our shelves, but we have been guilty of idolatry in other ways. The Lord had given us this great nation, yet over time we have fallen astray. If you read our history, you will see that the Lord had His hand in creating the United States of America. We were a country that was founded as “One Nation under God”.
Harvesting the Crop (Action/Response): I think we have all been a little guilty of thinking that America would always be a nation of freedom and liberty. We took for granted that things would always be the way they were originally founded. But look what has happened slowly over time. Christianity is being less and less tolerated. If you claim to be a Christian, you are already facing some minor persecutions. Christians are often labeled as intolerant and hateful. However, nothing could be further from the truth. We know that in the last days people will be lovers of self and money, be boastful and proud, and scoffers of God (2 Timothy 3:1-5). I believe we have entered that time. As Christ followers, are we ready to stand against this persecution? Will we stand firm just as those three young Israelite men stood firm? We have hope! If we fall on our knees in repentance and ask the Lord to heal our land—He will (2 Chronicles 7:14)! We know the Lord has an appointed time for everything, but as Christians we need to stand and battle to the end! We need to pray for revival for our nation, so that more people enter the Kingdom of God! That is, after all, what we are called to do: bring others to Christ. I pray we don’t get to the point of facing blazing furnaces. But, if that day should come, I pray we all are able to stand firm for Jesus! It is in those times of testing that miracles happen! Pray for our nation, our leaders, and the people that are blinded by the enemy! There is a battle to be fought! We win the battle with prayer and the Word of God! It is sharper than any two-edged sword (Hebrews 4:12)! It holds the Truth and Life!
Cultivating (Additional Reading): Daniel 3; Matthew 24
HS
Calvary Chapel of Melbourne; 2955 Minton Road; W. Melbourne, FL 32904; 321-952-9673
All Bible references are from the New International Version (NIV) unless otherwise noted.
NLT = New Living Translation.