Devotion:
Corrie Ten Boom’s family helped many Jewish families escape the Nazi Holocaust of WWII. When it was discovered that Corrie’s family was helping the Jews, their home was raided and their family was sent to a Nazi concentration camp. Although other members of her family died, Corrie survived to share her stories of faith that God was with her through it all and her words continue to inspire us. “Never be afraid to trust an unknown future to a known God.” is one of her famous quotes.
No doubt Corrie’s Dutch Christian family had choices. They could have chosen the safe route and not helped the Jewish families, but their faith in God thru Christ led them on the path of great courage to help their friends and neighbors who were in harm’s way.
Daniel’s friends had choices as well. They could have bowed down and worshipped the golden image which King Nebuchadnezzar had made. That would have been the safe route. But Daniel’s friends took the path of great courage. They had such confidence and faith in the living God that whether they lived or died, they would not serve a false god.
When the King sees them surviving in the fire, it is the King who realizes there are four, not just three in the fire. And the King says that the fourth one in the fire has the appearance “like a son of a god.” God’s own presence with them in the fire not only rescues Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, but also gives witness in such a way that the King gives the “decree that the people of any nation or language” will not be allowed to say anything against their God.
These young servants of God knew so well the power and presence of the living God, even through times of their suffering, in life, in death and in life again, that they were willing to remain faithful to their God. They did not abandon their God because they knew their God would never abandon them.
Personal Worship Option:
Jesus, through the generations, has been called the Suffering Servant. He knows and understands any suffering you might be enduring these days, because he also chose the path of great courage. Whatever you might be going through, you can have this confidence. God is with you. Amen.
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