PRAYER

Refine our hearts with fire so we can be Holy in Your sight. Guide our reading today and help us to connect the lessons we learn to our lives today. Amen.

READING

Today's reading is fairly long but reads well because its the story of Shadrach, Meshach & Abednego.

Daniel 3

or listen to an audio version of the Scripture reading NKJV Audio Bible & Text Daniel 3

REFLECTION

Amazing! Incredible! These are words that come to mind whenever I read the story of Shadrach, Meshach & Abednego. These three Jews defied the laws of the land because they held God's law above King Nebuchadnezzar's decree. God's commands were: 1) You must not have any other god but Me and 2) You must not make for yourself an idol of any kind. You must not bow down to them or worship them. (Exodus 20:3-4 ) The three men stood firm in their convictions when they answered the King's accusations of disobedience, "O Nebuchadnezzar, we do not need to defend ourselves before you. 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 set up" (Daniel 3:16-18). Would we have the same courage as Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego if this happened to us today? We may never be placed in such a life or death situation, however, we make the choice between God's Way and the World's Way every day. Do we speak up for Christ when His name is misused? Do we rely on worldly knowledge instead of spiritual knowledge?

What stands out the most for me in the story is what the men said: "even if God doesn't save us, we will never bend". We praise God when God rescues us from "fiery" situations but how many of us continue to praise God when we endure the fire? It takes trust and faith to believe God stands with us in the fire and has not abandoned us. Often times, God will use people to support us. I recently went through a challenging time and God used some friends to bring my family dinners so that I wouldn't have to cook. To me, that delicious plate of lasagna was an example of God standing in the fire with me. I knew I was not alone and that I had support. God can use lasagna, my friends.

If you find yourself in a fiery situation, be strong and courageous knowing God is with you. Rejoice that God will bring you out of the situation and until that time, God stands with you through it.

LENT CHECK IN

Try thinking about your friends right now. Are any of them going through a difficult time? Consider sending them an encouraging text/message (or make them a card, send them a funny meme, make a meal)

If interested, watch an overview of the Book of Daniel (below)