"THE DELIVERING GOD"
THEY WERE SEASONED IN THEIR SPIRITUAL WARFARE!
A. They had been "there" before! When they had first arrived in Babylon from Israel, they were put in the charge of a eunuch who was to give them the best of food and drink from the king's personal stores, then they were to be presented to the king for his approval. If the king's orders were not explicitly obeyed, it would mean the life of the eunuch. When they were told what was expected, the four young men refused to compromise their faith by eating and drinking of the king's special provisions.
A. They had been "there" before! When they had first arrived in Babylon from Israel, they were put in the charge of a eunuch who was to give them the best of food and drink from the king's personal stores, then they were to be presented to the king for his approval. If the king's orders were not explicitly obeyed, it would mean the life of the eunuch. When they were told what was expected, the four young men refused to compromise their faith by eating and drinking of the king's special provisions.
When this happened, the eunuch begged them to comply, explaining it would mean his Life if they did not. They replied by challenging him to feed them on pulse (corn meal) and water for ten days, and if they were not as fair and healthy as any of the other young people the king was preparing, they would then comply.
At the end of the ten days, when they were examined by the king, they were found to be ten times wiser, and in much better condition than any of the others. The Delivering God that they worshipped had proven Himself faithful.
B. We need to be seasoned in our spiritual warfare, also. The Bible tells us that we "fight not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places." We cannot hope to contend with such terrible adversaries as these, in our own power or might, but if we will take a lesson from the three Hebrew children, the same Delivering God shall enable us, as He did them.
THEY WERE SECURE IN THEIR FAITH!
A. They did not hesitate to stand on their faith. They told the king, "We are not careful to answer you in this matter. We will not bow down. If God wills, He will deliver us out of your hand. If not, we still won't bow down."
B.They were secure no matter what happened. If God delivered them, and they lived, well. If God chose not to deliver them, and they died, still well. But they would not compromise their faith to please the king or to save their lives.
C.We need to be the same in our faith. In Hebrews 7:25, the Bible says, "He is able also to save to the uttermost them that come unto God by Him, seeing He ever liveth to make intercession for them." If we will follow their example of faith, we will find that The Delivering God will arrive right on time to save us as He sees fit, whether through physical deliverance or physical death.
THEY WERE SECURE IN THEIR FAITH!
A. They did not hesitate to stand on their faith. They told the king, "We are not careful to answer you in this matter. We will not bow down. If God wills, He will deliver us out of your hand. If not, we still won't bow down."
B.They were secure no matter what happened. If God delivered them, and they lived, well. If God chose not to deliver them, and they died, still well. But they would not compromise their faith to please the king or to save their lives.
C.We need to be the same in our faith. In Hebrews 7:25, the Bible says, "He is able also to save to the uttermost them that come unto God by Him, seeing He ever liveth to make intercession for them." If we will follow their example of faith, we will find that The Delivering God will arrive right on time to save us as He sees fit, whether through physical deliverance or physical death.
THEY WERE SAFE IN THE FIERY FURNACE!
A.They walked by faith with God's promise. They were well aware, from their historical study of God's Word, what Isaiah the prophet had said over two hundred years before. In Isaiah 43:2, he said, "when thou walkest through the fire, thou shalt not be burned, neither shall the flame kindle upon thee." They remembered that, they believed that, and they were secure in that. So when it came their time to put it to the test, The Delivering God did not let them down.
B.They walked by faith with God's presence. When the king heard what they had told him, he got so angry that he ordered the furnace to be heated seven times hotter than it ever was before. When it was done, he chose the best men out of his army and told them to bind the three men in all their clothes and throw them into the furnace. This was done, and the fire was so hot that it killed the men who threw them into the furnace. Shortly after, the king looked through the furnace door and was astounded. He cried out, "Did we not throw three men in the furnace?" The answer was "Yes, o king." He then cried, "But I see four men walking around in the furnace, and the fourth is like unto the Son of God." (Now, how did that heathen king know what the Son of God looked like? Well, the answer is simple. When a person really and truly meets Jesus, they have no question as to Who He really is!)
THEY WERE SUCCOURED IN THEIR TIME OF NEED! (The word "Succor" means Help.)
A. Their needs were met beyond human expectation. When the king saw what was happening in the furnace, he called to the three men to come out of the furnace. When they came out, all the people watching were amazed. The only thing that had been burned in the furnace, that had anything to do with them, were their bonds. In fact, when they were examined, it was found that not even a hair was singed, and there was not even any smell of smoke on them, or on any of their garments.
A.They walked by faith with God's promise. They were well aware, from their historical study of God's Word, what Isaiah the prophet had said over two hundred years before. In Isaiah 43:2, he said, "when thou walkest through the fire, thou shalt not be burned, neither shall the flame kindle upon thee." They remembered that, they believed that, and they were secure in that. So when it came their time to put it to the test, The Delivering God did not let them down.
B.They walked by faith with God's presence. When the king heard what they had told him, he got so angry that he ordered the furnace to be heated seven times hotter than it ever was before. When it was done, he chose the best men out of his army and told them to bind the three men in all their clothes and throw them into the furnace. This was done, and the fire was so hot that it killed the men who threw them into the furnace. Shortly after, the king looked through the furnace door and was astounded. He cried out, "Did we not throw three men in the furnace?" The answer was "Yes, o king." He then cried, "But I see four men walking around in the furnace, and the fourth is like unto the Son of God." (Now, how did that heathen king know what the Son of God looked like? Well, the answer is simple. When a person really and truly meets Jesus, they have no question as to Who He really is!)
THEY WERE SUCCOURED IN THEIR TIME OF NEED! (The word "Succor" means Help.)
A. Their needs were met beyond human expectation. When the king saw what was happening in the furnace, he called to the three men to come out of the furnace. When they came out, all the people watching were amazed. The only thing that had been burned in the furnace, that had anything to do with them, were their bonds. In fact, when they were examined, it was found that not even a hair was singed, and there was not even any smell of smoke on them, or on any of their garments.
Because of this, the king acknowledged The Delivering God of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-niego as the sovereign and supreme God that all of his kingdom was to worship. He then took the three and promoted them above what they were in his kingdom government. (How's that for Deliverance???)
B. Our needs will be met by faith, according to God's promises, beyond our expectations. God tells us in Ephesians 3:20 that He "is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us." When we make ourselves available through faith, He is able to do above and beyond what we can even imagine. (I don't know about you, but I have a vivid imagination, yet, He has always exceeded my expectations, just as He said.)
Again, in Philippians 4:19, the Bible says, "My God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by in Christ Jesus." He did not say "according to your needs" because there are limits to our "needs." He said, "according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus." So, since there are no limits on God's riches in Christ Jesus, I guess I will begin worrying when the Angel Gabriel comes to tell me Heaven is bankrupt because God ran out of riches. Since that will never happen, and as a Believer, I am "in Christ Jesus," that means all of my needs shall be met according to His promise. Time would not suffice, nor would my fingers tolerate, me telling all that God has done in our ministry to bless my wife and myself. To say nothing of the blessings He has bestowed upon our family, friends, and people we have ministered to through the years. One thing I know for sure, and for certain. You can always trust The Delivering God to bless far beyond anything you may need or expect, when you trust Him in faith.
Conc. There are going to be many "fiery trials" facing every person as they go through life. The Christian, however, has the assurance that they can be secure in their faith, safe in the "fire," and seasoned in the warfare, as they trust the Lord for help. He is The Delivering God, and His promise is unfailing, His presence is sure, and His help is guaranteed when we put our trust in Him. Listen to the final promise today. In II Corinthians 6:2, God says, "I have heard thee in a time accepted, and in the day of salvation have I succored thee: behold, now is the accepted time, behold, now is the day of salvation."
Have you ever put your faith in The Delivering God? If not would you do so now by simply asking Him to forgive you for your sins, and asking Jesus to come into your heart and life as Savior and Lord?
THOUGHT OF THE WEEK
No matter how dark your night, nor how hot your "trial fire" may be, if you are a Believer in the Lord Jesus Christ, you will never have to endure them alone. He has said He would never leave you, nor forsake you, as long as you trust Him; and The Delivering God will see you through one way or the other!
No matter how dark your night, nor how hot your "trial fire" may be, if you are a Believer in the Lord Jesus Christ, you will never have to endure them alone. He has said He would never leave you, nor forsake you, as long as you trust Him; and The Delivering God will see you through one way or the other!
PRAYER OF THE WEEK
Dear God,
This all sounds wonderful, and I know it has probably worked for many other people, but will it really work for me? My night is dark, my "trial fire" hot, my road is so steep and rough, and I am so tired of trying to get through life by my own ability. So I simply ask you, if you are listening, will this really work for me?
I don't know what else to do, or where else to turn. I have done so many things, and tried so many ways, I don't even know if I have the strength left to do, or try, anything else. But, the Preacher said that The Delivering God of Daniel, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-niego would be my delivering God if I would trust Him. I don't even know for sure how I am supposed to do that, but I'm going to give it a try. God, I just take you at your word, and accept you as my Lord. In Jesus' name I pray. Amen!