Burning Question:
When have you received pushback for practicing your faith?
Morning Devotional:
A couple of days ago I learned that an old friend of mine from high school and his family lost everything in the wildfires raging through the Los Angeles area. This friend was interviewed by a television station in Los Angeles and I happened to see part of the story yesterday afternoon. In it, he offered a thought I never dreamed he would ever say. He said, “I don’t know why this is happening, I don’t know what’s next or how we’re going to get by, but God apparently does and I guess that’s enough.”
It was the closest thing I have ever heard him say about having any kind of faith in God.
Do you have a faith that says, “I guess that’s enough,” or is your faith stronger than that? The Word says we only need faith as small as a mustard seed but there are days when I need buckets of those mustard seeds to fight the good fight. How do we achieve that level of faith?
I’m convinced Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego had the kind of faith I’m looking for. These three young men were brought before King Nebuchadnezzar because they refused to bow to a false god, and when threatened with certain death in the hottest of furnaces, this was their reply:
“If we are thrown into the blazing furnace, the God we serve is able to deliver us from it, and he will deliver us from Your Majesty’s hand. But even if he does not, we want you to know, Your Majesty, that we will not serve your gods or worship the image of gold you have set up.” (Daniel 3:17-18)
These three men knew the God they served was able to save them from anything that Nebuchadnezzar wanted to do to them, and even if He didn’t, God is still God. That’s what made their faith fireproof, and I believe that’s the missing element we need.
To have fireproof faith, be willing to boldly declare that God is sovereign over your circumstances even in the middle of your fears. As He did for Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego, God will give you the faith you need to endure.
– Beth
Bible Quiz:
Question: What woman was called a prophetess by Luke?
Answer: Anna (Luke 2:36)
Storytime: Korban ands his Top Hat