So, guess what I read this morning? That’s right—Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego! 😊
Daniel 3:16-18
"Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego replied to the king, "O Nebuchadnezzar, we do not need to defend ourselves before you in this matter. If we are thrown into the blazing furnace, the God we serve is able to save us from it, and he will rescue us from your hand, O king. But even if he does not, we want you to know, O king, that we will not serve your gods or worship the image of gold you have set up."
I found it interesting that the king chose fire as their punishment—a blazing furnace heated seven times hotter than normal—rather than what he later decreed for those who spoke against their God, which was to be cut into pieces.
I have no doubt that if God had chosen to deliver them from that second punishment, He would have done something amazing—like bringing all the pieces back together! But the fire carried an even greater impact. The king saw four men instead of three in the flames, and that powerful visual changed everything.
Excerpt from Today's Daily Bread:
"As I think of my dad’s patience in bringing a painting to life, my heart is directed to our heavenly Father. He looks on us and sees the voids and imperfections in our lives, yet lovingly and patiently does His work in us to make us His masterpiece—a masterpiece that 'conforms to the image of His Son' (Rom. 8:29).
What a joy it is to have such a God, who makes us new (2 Cor. 5:17) and never tires of investing His energy and effort into our lives!"
—Bill Crowder
Thank you, Jesus, for your patience and loving tenderness.
All that we are going through is for Your glory and for our good. Help me to trust You more, to see Your purposes in my life, and to surrender myself to You completely.
In Jesus’ name, Amen.
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