Based on “When the Heat Gets Turned Up” by Pastor Dean Corns;
8/28-29/10, Message #DC133; Daily Devotional #6 - “He Is with Us”
Preparing the Soil (Introduction): This week’s teaching focused on Shadrach’s, Meshach’s and Abednego’s trials at the hand of King Nebuchadnezzar (Daniel 3). In summary, they were cast into a fiery furnace by the king for refusing an order to worship the king’s false idol. Miraculously, they were unharmed and were even seen walking around in the furnace before the king told them to come out. The three Jewish men were seen unbound in the furnace with the Son of God in plain view. This is awe-inspiring and something each of us should remember as we encounter hardships.
Planting and Watering the Seed (Growth): Everyone in this world will experience hardship at some point. We all have our furnace that we will be forced to enter. The one thing that only a Christ follower can say is that their God will experience it with them. Imagine the initial horror of being thrown into a furnace so hot that the guards tossing you in are consumed by the fire. I can only imagine the relief they must have felt seeing the Son of God in that furnace with them and experiencing the peace and strength that only God's presence gives. When we, as followers of Christ, are cast into our own proverbial furnaces, we too must look to God and remember: “God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble.” (Psalm 46:1) Our God is there with us and understands our pain. God will stretch and grow us by helping us through difficult times, and we must always remember that our God is a Savior who is willing to experience the hardship with us. When I have entered a trial with the Lord, I have found that when we come out of it I am blessed with a better understanding of what is important, and am less bound by worldly concerns. Like the bindings of Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego, the fire burns away my bindings, so I can experience freedom in the presence of God.
Harvesting the Crop (Action/Response): Remember that Jesus Christ, who is our living, personal Savior, will be with us when we are cast into furnaces by the world we live in. We only have to remember that our God is good, and He will not allow us to fall. The words of Isaiah are a perfect testament to this, “So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.” (Isaiah 41:10)
Cultivating (Additional Reading): Psalm 145; Psalm 146
WSK
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.