Title Daniel 3:13~23 (2011.1.12)
Contents
Title: Even If It Doesn't
Text: (Daniel 3:13-23)
Hymns: 242. The wasteland is like a rose
Date: January 12, 2011 (Wednesday) 5 am
Venue: Jeonju Yebut Church Small Worship Room
Everyone has a weak spot. What is our weakest part? It could be health or it could be family. It could be pride or it could be social status. However, there are things that believers should never be weak in. It is to keep the fidelity of faith.
1. The decision of faith (verse 17)
Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego represent faithful Jews who do not worship idols. Their reaction was very bold. When the king heard them, he became angry and ordered them to be thrown into a furnace that was seven times hotter. However, they set the example of obedience only to God with the determination that ‘if we die, we will die’. If they feared death, they would not have been able to keep their faith in a foreign land in captivity, nor would they be able to overcome their circumstances. Saints are prophets sent by God into the world. We should not be afraid of the world and give in to it. We need the same determination of faith as the three friends. That faith will give you the strength to overcome the tough world.
2. Even if it doesn't (v. 18)
Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego confessed their faith in the God of salvation. Their confession, 'Even if it doesn't happen', is a declaration that threat to life cannot break the foundation of faith, and at the same time, a confession of faith that they will suffer martyrdom. They did not wish for any superstitious miracles or anecdotes. They surrendered themselves to God with pure faith. In the end, their faith worked wonders. Do we have the faith of ‘even if it doesn’t happen’? I hope that we can confess that God is the Lord of heaven and earth and the One who makes the impossible possible, rather than making God into a small one who can do miracles and misfortunes. When you confess that the Lord of life is God, your fear will disappear.
3. Faithfulness to the Word
In the land of Babylon, where the temple had disappeared, for the chosen people of Israel, only obedience to the Word was true worship. By obedience to the Word, they acknowledged God's sovereignty and expressed their hope for the kingdom of God. When we confess that God is Lord of the world, God fights for us. Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego showed their determination to die to obey God even in difficult circumstances. Wisdom is believing in God's sovereignty and power and acting humbly on God's side even in situations that are not understood. As long as we stand with God, God will fight for us. When you trust in Him, you will surely win.
Were not Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego afraid of being thrown into the furnace? Humans are fragile beings who cannot help but fear when faced with danger. But Almighty God is on our side. He does not ignore all the circumstances and is with them. Let us give thanks and praise to such a God.
<Prayer>
1. Be spiritually awake and pray, so that we can overcome Satan's temptations and temptations!
2. Make all worship services a vital worship service, and allow many faithful new families to register!
3. Heal the sick! (Elder Kim Eul-soo, Deacon Park Jong-rok, Kim Young-sik, Kim Wan-jin, Jeong Mi-ra, Kim Dong-il Brother, Choi Hoon-yong......)