Gospel Gleanings from a Fiery Furnace
10/18 Reading Portions: 1 Kings 21; 1 Thessalonians 4; Daniel 3; Psalm 107
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10/18 Reading Portions: 1 Kings 21; 1 Thessalonians 4; Daniel 3; Psalm 107
Daniel 3:25
He answered and said, “But I see four men unbound, walking in the midst of the fire, and they are not hurt; and the appearance of the fourth is like a son of the gods.”
FIRE
Christ’s church is exemplified in this historical, yet miraculous, episode of faithful Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego. While they refused to worship Nebuchadnezzar’s 90-foot golden image, the three were thrown into the fire for their defiance toward idolatry and their steadfast zeal for YHVH God. We, of Christ’s church, are promised hatred by the world (John 15:19), tribulation in the world (John 16:33), and persecution from the world (2 Tim 3:12). Yet in the midst of persecution’s fire, we are comforted that the Lord Jesus, who is misunderstood by unbelievers (like a son of the gods), walks in the midst of His people (Rev 1:13, 20). And though we may suffer the physical and outrageous slings and arrows from a hateful world, we are eternal people who walk in the midst of the fire with our Lord. Therefore, those worldly fires will not hurt us, spiritually speaking. In fact, under persecution, Christ’s people, His beloved church-bride, will know and exercise a spiritual freedom that comes from abiding in Christ (four men unbound). Because of the tempering of persecution fires, this freedom to which we have been called is not…
…an opportunity for the flesh, but through love [we] serve one another. Galatians 5:13
In fact, the confines of persecution diminish the power and proclivities of the flesh and causes the child of God to…
….be strong in the Lord and in the strength of His might. Ephesians 6:10
It is only in Christ’s strength that we can endure; for our precious Lord Jesus is truly the only One we can turn to in the midst of 7-times hate and trouble (Dan 3:19). The eternal and spiritual truths are what matters most in Christ’s kingdom, not the temporal (Matt 5:29). Hallelujah! What a sovereign Savior!
When those persecution fires burn,
The world, who hates our Lord, will turn
Against His people who must learn:
By grace alone can men discern.