The faithfulness of the three Hebrews (Hannaniah, Mishael, Azariah) )

DAILY INSIGHT WITH GOD
Friday 10th July, 2020
Text:  Daniel 3: 16-30
16 Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego replied to the king, "O Nebuchadnezzar, we do not need to defend ourselves before you in this matter. 
 17 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.  
18 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."  
19 Then Nebuchadnezzar was furious with Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego, and his attitude toward them changed. He ordered the furnace heated seven times hotter than usual  
20 and commanded some of the strongest soldiers in his army to tie up Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego and throw them into the blazing furnace.  
21 So these men, wearing their robes, trousers, turbans and other clothes, were bound and thrown into the blazing furnace. 
 22 The king's command was so urgent and the furnace so hot that the flames of the fire killed the soldiers who took up Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego,  
23 and these three men, firmly tied, fell into the blazing furnace.  
24 Then King Nebuchadnezzar leaped to his feet in amazement and asked his advisers, "Weren't there three men that we tied up and threw into the fire?" They replied, "Certainly, O king." 
 25 He said, "Look! I see four men walking around in the fire, unbound and unharmed, and the fourth looks like a son of the gods."  
26 Nebuchadnezzar then approached the opening of the blazing furnace and shouted, "Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego, servants of the Most High God, come out! Come here!" So Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego came out of the fire, 
 27 and the satraps, prefects, governors and royal advisers crowded around them. They saw that the fire had not harmed their bodies, nor was a hair of their heads singed; their robes were not scorched, and there was no smell of fire on them. 
 28 Then Nebuchadnezzar said, "Praise be to the God of Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego, who has sent his angel and rescued his servants! They trusted in him and defied the king's command and were willing to give up their lives rather than serve or worship any god except their own God.  
29 Therefore I decree that the people of any nation or language who say anything against the God of Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego be cut into pieces and their houses be turned into piles of rubble, for no other god can save in this way." 
 30 Then the king promoted Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego in the province of Babylon.
Topic: The faithfulness of the three Hebrews. (Hannaniah, Mishael, Azariah)
Key verse:  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."  Dan 3:18
Faithfulness is holding on to your belief to the point of death without turning back, compromise or a change of mind. The three Hebrews were at exile, they were favoured to be trained alongside with Daniel, their names had been changed to fit in to the culture and beliefs of the Babylon but their loyalty, trust commitment and dedication to the living God did not change. when the king raised an idol to be worshipped, their disobedience were easily seen because they were men of influence in the province, the arrogant and idolatrous king was amazed someone could look straight into his eyes probably they have been faithful to him but in this matter of faith they chose to disobey him not minding their position wealth and influence. Even when the king commanded that they should be put into the fiery fire that was so hot that those that threw them inside it died of the flames, they didn’t change their mind but insisted that “even if their God will not save them, they will not bow”. 
Their faith stirred up God into actions that he himself was right there in the fire waiting for them and he chose to keep them from being hurt by the fire to the extent that not a hair in their heads were singed, their robes were not scorched and there was no smell of fire on them. The king’s eyes and others there were opened to see the fourth man in the fire, and the celebration prepared to honour the pagan god turnaround to be celebration of the living God as a result of three men’s faithfulness. Souls were drawn to the kingdom of God and instead of demotion they enjoyed accelerated and unprecedented promotion. Even if you do not have a husband or wife, will you still remain faithful? Even if you do not have a child will you still remain faithful to your God? Even if you fail will you still remain faithful to God? Even if you will die in that sickness will you still remain faithful? Even if you will lose that job will you still remain faithful? The list goes on and on, faithfulness does not turn back in the midst of crises or great need.  We should be faithful to serve God either he intervene in our situation or not. Our reward is eternal and it worth the pains and suffering we have to endure in a little while here on earth.
Prayer: Father help me to stay faithful regardless of what may come my way in Jesus name.

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