Memorise:
If it be so, our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the burning fiery furnace, and he will deliver us out of thine hand, O king. Daniel 3:17
READ: Psalm 24:7-10
7 Lift up your heads, O ye gates; and be ye lift up, ye everlasting doors; and the King of glory shall come in.
8 Who is this King of glory? The LORD strong and mighty, the LORD mighty in battle.
9 Lift up your heads, O ye gates; even lift them up, ye everlasting doors; and the King of glory shall come in.
10 Who is this King of glory? The LORD of hosts, he is the King of glory.
Message
To live a fulfilled life worthy of their election, children of God must know their God as the Lord who is mighty in battle. The story of the three Hebrew boys is a classical example of what God is capable of doing for His children who know who He is (Daniel 3). They confronted the whole emperor of their time, Nebuchadnezzar, with faith in the supremacy of the power of their God over the affairs of men. There is a lesson we must learn from the story of Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego, which the Lord spelt out for us in clear terms in Luke 17:33, saying:
“Whosoever shall seek to save his life shall lose it; and whosoever shall lose his life shall preserve it.”
Note that it was after King Nebuchadnezzar had threatened to burn the three Hebrew boys that they declared that they were not afraid for their lives, even if they had to die defending what they believed in. What an amazing statement of faith this is:
“If it be so, our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the burning fiery furnace, and he will deliver us out of thine hand, O king.” Daniel 3:17
It takes truly knowing God to make such a bold statement. No wonder Daniel 11:32 says,
“And such as do wickedly against the covenant shall he corrupt by flatteries: but the people that do know their God shall be strong, and do exploits.”
Do you know your God as a weakling or as a mighty warrior? To the three Hebrew boys, the God of Israel was more than able to deliver them, because they knew Him to be the Lord of hosts. He specialises in fighting all manner of battles in all realms. On the ground, He fought for the children of Israel against the Amalekites (Exodus 17:8-16). In the midst of the sea, He fought for the Israelites against the Egyptians (Exodus 14:13-30). In the air, He fought for Joshua and the children of Israel against the forces of the five kings who gathered against them (Joshua 10:1-20). The awesomeness of this God made the Psalmist to describe Him as the Lord mighty in battle (Psalm 24:8). Beloved, what is that battle confronting you? You would be wise to run to God Almighty to fight for you. He is mighty in battle and has never lost any war. He will be your sure Ally and you will be victorious in Jesus’ Name. Surrender your life to Him and hand over those battles of life to Him, and you will begin to enjoy victories without sweat through His involvement.
Prayer Point:
Father, please fight the battles of life confronting me today, and in every situation I will encounter this year, don’t let me be a victim but a victor, in Jesus’ Name.
BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: Genesis 29-30 and Revelation 12
AUTHOR: PASTOR E. A. ADEBOYE
HYMN 11: O GOD, OUR HELP IN AGES PAST
1. O God, our help in ages past,
Our hope for years to come,
Our shelter from the stormy blast,
And our eternal home.
2. Under the shadow of Thy throne,
Still may we dwell secure;
Sufficient is Thine arm alone,
And our defence is sure
3. Before the hills in order stood,
Or earth received her frame,
From everlasting Thou art God,
To endless years the same
4. A thousand ages in Thy sight
Are like an evening gone,
Short as the watch that ends the night
Before the rising sun.
5. Time, like an ever-rolling stream,
Bears all its sons away:
They fly forgotten, as a dream
Dies at the opening day.
6. O God, our help in ages past,
Our hope for years to come,
Be Thou our guard while life shall last,
And our eternal home.
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