Hebrews 11:34, “quenched raging fire, escaped the edge of
the sword, won strength out of weakness, became mighty in war, put foreign
enemies to flight.”
Sometimes it seems that we see our faith as our last hope.
Something we cling to when all else appears helpless. How passive and anemic.
Instead the Bible links faith to heroic feats of common
ordinary men and women. The difference? They started from a faith
stand—regardless of the consequences.
Shadrach, Meshach and Abed-nego held high official positions
under Nebuchadnezzar, king of Babylon. Yet their whole heart belonged to God.
When the king’s edict demanded worship of a false idol, they never even
hesitated in their reply.
“If our God whom we
serve is able to deliver us from the furnace of blazing fire and out of your
hand, O king, let him deliver us. But if not, let it be known to you, O king,
that we will not serve your gods and we will not worship the golden statue that
you have set up.” Daniel 3: 17-18
Their courage and commitment to the Lord grounded them
before they ever had to make life and death decisions. Their faith and
relationship were the foundations of all their choices—large or small—life or
death. They accepted both yes and no answers to their prayers with gratitude
and obedience.
Lord, please help us to step into the world each day with
the same armor, knowing that You will be our strength when we are weak. Keep
our hearts in Your care.
Psalm of Worship: Psalm 27:2
“When evildoers came upon me to devour my flesh,
My adversaries and my enemies, they stumbled and fell.”
