Call It Courage — Shadrach, Meschach, Abed-Nego, and the fiery furnace (a.k.a.: Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah and the fiery furnace) Scripture reading: Daniel 2:46-3:12 (suggested memory verses: Psalm 23:4) by David Churchill [printable PDF][audio MP3 -- approx. 34½ min.] What may we learn from watching the example of these three men that will help us be faithful unto death? A. We learn we may trust firmly in God’s instruction and providence… as we learn to accept that God knows the way of the righteous. • Psalm 1:1-6 • John 12:44-50 — “He who believes in Me, does not believe in Me but in Him who sent Me. He who sees Me sees the One who sent Me. I have come as Light into the world, so that everyone who believes in Me will not remain in darkness. If anyone hears My sayings and does not keep them, I do not judge him; for I did not come to judge the world, but to save the world. He who rejects Me and does not receive My sayings, has one who judges him; the word I spoke is what will judge him at the last day. For I did not speak on My own initiative, but the Father Himself who sent Me has given Me a commandment as to what to say and what to speak. I know that His commandment is eternal life; therefore the things I speak, I speak just as the Father has told Me.” (NASB) B. We learn we may face death and fearful difficulties with confidence… as we learn to allow God to guide us through it. • Psalm 23:1-6 • 2 Timothy 3:16-17 — “All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness; so that the man of God may be adequate, equipped for every good work.” (NASB) • Revelation 14:12-13 — “Here is the perseverance of the saints who keep the commandments of God and their faith in Jesus. And I heard a voice from heaven, saying, “Write, ‘Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord from now on!’” “Yes,” says the Spirit, “so that they may rest from their labors, for their deeds follow with them.”” (NASB) C. We learn we may recognize when God is with us… as we learn to recognize when we are with God. • Joshua 1:8-9 — “This book of the law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do according to all that is written in it; for then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have success. Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous! Do not tremble or be dismayed, for the LORD your God is with you wherever you go.” (NASB) • Haggai 1:12-13 — “Then Zerubbabel the son of Shealtiel, and Joshua the son of Jehozadak, the high priest, with all the remnant of the people, obeyed the voice of the LORD their God and the words of Haggai the prophet, as the LORD their God had sent him. And the people showed reverence for the LORD. Then Haggai, the messenger of the LORD, spoke by the commission of the LORD to the people saying, “‘I am with you,’ declares the LORD.”” (NASB) • Matthew 18:20 — “For where two or three have gathered together in My name, I am there in their midst.” (NASB) • John 14:20-21 — “In that day you will know that I am in My Father, and you in Me, and I in you. He who has My commandments and keeps them is the one who loves Me; and he who loves Me will be loved by My Father, and I will love him and will disclose Myself to him.” (NASB) • Matthew 28:18-20 — “All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” (NASB) D. We learn we may distinguish between those who think they can hurt us and the One who truly can. • Matthew 10:28 — “Do not fear those who kill the body but are unable to kill the soul; but rather fear Him who is able to destroy both soul and body in hell.” (NASB) • Revelation 2:10-11 — “Do not fear any of those things which you are about to suffer. Indeed, the devil is about to throw some of you into prison, that you may be tested, and you will have tribulation ten days. Be faithful until death, and I will give you the crown of life. He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. He who overcomes shall not be hurt by the second death.” (NKJV) E. We learn we may let go of our fears and enjoy the peace of God. • Philippians 4:4-7 — “Rejoice in the Lord always. Again I will say, rejoice! Let your gentleness be known to all men. The Lord is at hand. Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.” (NKJV) • 1 Timothy 2:1-4 — “Therefore I exhort first of all that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks be made for all men, for kings and all who are in authority, that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and reverence. For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior, who desires all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth.” (NKJV) [printable PDF][audio MP3 -- approx. 34½ min.] |