Among Lions预览

CONTEXT: Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego are miraculously saved from the fire.

Once again, the king witnessed God perform a miracle! Not only did He save Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego from the fire, but when he looked inside, King Nebuchadnezzar saw a fourth person among the flames! The Bible isn’t specific on this person’s identity. Maybe it was an angel or a heavenly form of Jesus. Either way, God sent a companion to accompany these three faithful friends literally through the fire.

It says the king was so amazed at what he saw that he immediately called for the trio to come to him. Can you imagine? You just witnessed the fire’s intensity kill the guards who threw the three friends into the flames, and now you’re watching Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego walk out, completely unharmed. In fact, the Bible says they didn’t even smell of smoke!

The king’s response was almost identical to what he’d done after Daniel revealed his dream - he acknowledged God’s power and established Him among Babylon’s gods. This time, he added a decree that anyone who spoke against this God would be killed.

Yesterday, we saw that Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego were submitted to God’s will even if He didn’t save them. However, they still believed God was able to save them. Elevation Worship has a song called More Than Able that includes the questions, “How did I start to believe You weren't sufficient for me? Why do I talk myself out of seeing miracles?” What powerful questions. So often, we believe that God is able, but we’re content to consistently operate with a mustard-seed size faith while praying with the scarcity mentality of “God can, but He probably won’t.” This must break His heart.

If we believe the Bible when it says that God is the same yesterday, today, and forever, then we have to believe that He is the same miracle-working God for us that He was for Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego. God loves His children beyond measure. He longs to walk with us through life’s fires to provide help, encouragement, and support along the way. He’s not only able to deliver us, He longs to and is waiting for us to invite Him to do so with a heart of expectation.

CONSIDER THIS:

1. Consider your own expectations of God. Do you believe He is able AND willing to deliver you? Or do you pray with a scarcity mindset?

2. Do you believe God still does miracles today? If not, as the song asks, “Why have you talked yourself out of seeing miracles?”

3. Write a prayer asking God to increase your faith and trust that He is not only able but willing to deliver you from the challenges and struggles you’re going through.