December 30, 2021
I’m always looking for examples throughout the Bible in order to get a better understanding of how God's Word works in our lives. What is the purpose of the Gift of Faith, and can we activate it to operate in us?
An example of this Gift can be found in the book of Daniel 3:14-21;23-25. Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-Nego were men from Judah who worshiped the God of Israel who refused to bow down to a golden image, and King Nebuchadnezzar ordered them to be thrown into a fiery furnace.
Through the Gift of Faith, they were able to survive the fire and serve as witnesses to the kingdom of Babylon.
Daniel 3:16-21;23-25
16 “Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-Nego answered and said to the king, ‘O Nebuchadnezzar, we have no need to answer you in this matter.
17 "If that is the case, our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the burning fiery furnace, and He will deliver us from your hand, O king.’
18 “‘But if not, let it be known to you, O king, that we do not serve your gods, nor will we worship the gold image which you have set up.’
19 "Then Nebuchadnezzar was full of fury, and the expression on his face changed toward Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-Nego. He spoke and commanded that they heat the furnace seven times more than it was usually heated.
20“And he commanded certain mighty men of valor who were in his army to bind Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-Nego, and cast them into the burning fiery furnace… 23 "And these three men, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-Nego, fell down bound into the midst of the burning fiery furnace.
25 “Then King Nebuchadnezzar was astonished… ‘Look!’ he answered, ‘I see four men loose, walking in the midst of the fire; and they are not hurt, and the form of the fourth is like the Son of God.’"
Father, I pray that this same kind of faith be found in us, Your believers, today. In Jesus's name, Amen.
More to come in tomorrow's devotion.