The Audacity of FaithSample

Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego - Men who Lived on the Edge.

Daniel 3:18"But even if he does not, we want you to know, Your Majesty, that we will not serve your gods..."

You cannot bully a man to dance to your tune once he is willing to die at the altar of his conviction. Once death is no longer a threat, what else is there to be afraid of? That was the posture of the three Hebrews. If it comes to dying while holding on to their beliefs, so be it.

The audacity of telling the King, “We do not need to defend ourselves before you in this matter. If we are thrown into the blazing furnace, the God we serve is able to deliver us from it, and he will deliver us from Your Majesty’s hand. But even if he does not, we want you to know, Your Majesty, that we will not serve your gods or worship the image of gold you have set up.” Daniel 3:16-18. That is bold!

Taking a stand of faith honours God. It creates an avenue for the supernatural. The Scottish Reformer John Knox was famously known for his bold prayer of faith, "Give me Scotland, or I die." And yes, God gave him Scotland.

Honi lived during the first century BC and had a special relationship with God. There was a terrible drought in the land of Israel. The rainy season had ended with no rain, and they were entering the dry time of year. The people sent for Honi to pray for rain because they knew that God listened and answered Honi’s prayers.

Honi prayed, but no rain came. Then Honi drew a circle in the dust around himself and told God that he would not leave the circle until He sent rain. It began to rain, but so little and light that the people came to complain to Honi. They told him that it was raining only enough to release Honi from his vow but not enough to end the drought.

Honi turned his face to heaven and spoke to God, “Not for this type of rain did I pray, but for rain which would fill wells, cisterns and ditches.” The skies opened, and rains came in torrents. A bold and audacious prayer of faith honours God.

The three Hebrews had a choice: to bow to the King's image and live or to stand their ground and die. Death stared right into their face, and all they had to do was bow to the King's statue, but they wouldn't. A bold and audacious faith is standing your ground, even in the face of possible consequences. When life brings you to the brink of compromise, and it seems so convenient to deny God to have your ways, stand your ground in faith. A faith that is not tested cannot be trusted.

The call of God on your life will require faith and boldness, and sometimes, it may seem you are living on the edge, but remember, you are never alone, and God is too faithful to fail.

Today, attempt something you've always been afraid of. Dare to live on the edge and see the supernatural move of God.