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- Apr 25, 2006
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STAND STRONG (2)
'... Be it known ... that we will not ...' Daniel 3:18
Wonder what the final thoughts of Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego must've been? Perhaps there were last flashes of doubt as they were dragged closer and closer towards the ovens. Did Shadrach think, 'Nobody else is risking martyrdom - why should I?' Or what about Meshach? 'Better a live dog than a dead lion. If we stay alive, maybe we can do good for God and for others?'
Possibly Abednego wavered as the heat began to tear at his cheeks, 'Where are you, Lord?' Doubt, reason, self pity can all infringe on our journey of faith, rightly and wrongly. But what's so commendable about this situation is that neither logic, nor emotion, nor circumstance could separate these Hebrew boys from their conviction in God. They were prepared to die for what they believed and this kind of faith always makes for good stories.
f you want a faith that goes down in history (whether that's earth's history books, or heaven's!), you'll need a priority list that has "God" written at #1. God must be ruler of logic, fear, situation, danger - the lot. This gang put their faith on the line in the public domain with everyone watching. The result: a whole nation turns its heart back to God. If the spotlight ever turns on you, do you want to be able to stand strong with God? Those who answered 'yes' best get ready for the flames.
What now? In your prayer times today, ask God to increase your capacity to grow and your capacity to cope.
written by Bob Gass
'... Be it known ... that we will not ...' Daniel 3:18
Wonder what the final thoughts of Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego must've been? Perhaps there were last flashes of doubt as they were dragged closer and closer towards the ovens. Did Shadrach think, 'Nobody else is risking martyrdom - why should I?' Or what about Meshach? 'Better a live dog than a dead lion. If we stay alive, maybe we can do good for God and for others?'
Possibly Abednego wavered as the heat began to tear at his cheeks, 'Where are you, Lord?' Doubt, reason, self pity can all infringe on our journey of faith, rightly and wrongly. But what's so commendable about this situation is that neither logic, nor emotion, nor circumstance could separate these Hebrew boys from their conviction in God. They were prepared to die for what they believed and this kind of faith always makes for good stories.
f you want a faith that goes down in history (whether that's earth's history books, or heaven's!), you'll need a priority list that has "God" written at #1. God must be ruler of logic, fear, situation, danger - the lot. This gang put their faith on the line in the public domain with everyone watching. The result: a whole nation turns its heart back to God. If the spotlight ever turns on you, do you want to be able to stand strong with God? Those who answered 'yes' best get ready for the flames.
What now? In your prayer times today, ask God to increase your capacity to grow and your capacity to cope.
written by Bob Gass
