Bible Reading: Daniel 3, 4, 1 John 5
Memory Verse: “Then these men were bound in their coats, their hose, and their hats, and their other garments, and were cast into the midst of the burning fiery furnace.” Daniel 3:21 (KJV)
A lot of Christians are concerned when they are passing through storms. They often look at unbelievers that are not going through such challenges and appear to be in pleasure. Then they ask themselves or even other Christians why they are having the challenges inspite of their belief. It appears most Christians have the wrong notion that everything must be smooth once they give their lives to Christ. They forget that even our Saviour, Jesus Christ, passed through fire! He was accused wrongly, punished for what he did not do and hanged on a tree!
So what then should we be expecting as Christians. There will be temptations and trials but God will keep it within our ability according to his word in 1 Corinthians 10:13 (KJV), “There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it.”
This knowledge and faith in God are necessary requirements for a Christian to weather the storm. This is what Shadrach, Meshack and Abednego exhibited when they told King Nebuchadnezar that they would rather go inside the furnace than bow down for his image! And the king commanded them to be thrown into the fire: Daniel 3:21 (KJV) says, “Then these men were bound in their coats, their hose, and their hats, and their other garments, and were cast into the midst of the burning fiery furnace.”
It was after this that God showed up! Because He had a greater purpose for the Babylonians; to win their souls unto himself. Hear the king after the three Hebrew men came out of the furnace without any burn or even smell of fire on them! ( Daniel 3:27). He said in Daniel 3:29 (KJV), “Therefore I make a decree, That every people, nation, and language, which speak any thing amiss against the God of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-nego, shall be cut in pieces, and their houses shall be made a dunghill: because there is no other God that can deliver after this sort.” Thus several souls would have believed!
Whatever you are going through, there is a greater purpose for the storm, just hold on to the word of God in faith and you will surely overcome because greater is He that is in you than he that is in the world. ( 1 John 4:4).
Prayer: Father, let me emerge from the present storm I am passing through; a greater, better and stronger person in Jesus name.
Bro. Biodun Oyapero