Daniel 3:1-30 | Faith in Exile

Joshua Hanson

Daniel • Sermon • Submitted 7 months ago • Presented 7 months ago

Daniel 3:1–30

Isaiah 43:2

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SERMON TITLE: Faith in Exile

TEXT: Daniel 3:1-30 (NLT)

SPEAKER: Josh Hanson

DATE: 5-12-24

TURN MIC ON / WELCOME

As always it’s a joy to be with all of you this weekend at Gateway Church. And there’s one thing I want you to know — and this is true if you’re worshiping with us for the first time — are joining us at our North Main Campus or are with our friends in Bucyrus — I want you to know that God loves you and that I love you too.

SERIES INTRO

After a two week break — we’re returning to our series in the book of Daniel today — where we’re seeing what it means to live in exile. We’ve got an entire chapter to work our way through — so let’s begin by reading our text. We’re in Daniel chapter three — beginning in verse one.

Daniel 3:1–30 (NLT)

1 King Nebuchadnezzar made a gold statue ninety feet tall and nine feet wide and set it up on the plain of Dura in the province of Babylon. 2 Then he sent messages to the high officers, officials, governors, advisers, treasurers, judges, magistrates, and all the provincial officials to come to the dedication of the statue he had set up. 3 So all these officials came and stood before the statue King Nebuchadnezzar had set up. 4 Then a herald shouted out, “People of all races and nations and languages, listen to the king’s command! 5 When you hear the sound of the horn, flute, zither, lyre, harp, pipes, and other musical instruments, bow to the ground to worship King Nebuchadnezzar’s gold statue. 6 Anyone who refuses to obey will immediately be thrown into a blazing furnace.” 7 So at the sound of the musical instruments, all the people, whatever their race or nation or language, bowed to the ground and worshiped the gold statue that King Nebuchadnezzar had set up. 8 But some of the astrologers went to the king and informed on the Jews. 9 They said to King Nebuchadnezzar, “Long live the king! 10 You issued a decree requiring all the people to bow down and worship the gold statue when they hear the sound of the horn, flute, zither, lyre, harp, pipes, and other musical instruments. 11 That decree also states that those who refuse to obey must be thrown into a blazing furnace. 12 But there are some Jews — Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego — whom you have put in charge of the province of Babylon. They pay no attention to you, Your Majesty. They refuse to serve your gods and do not worship the gold statue you have set up.” 13 Then Nebuchadnezzar flew into a rage and ordered that Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego be brought before him. When they were brought in, 14 Nebuchadnezzar said to them, “Is it true, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, that you refuse to serve my gods or to worship the gold statue I have set up? 15 I will give you one more chance to bow down and worship the statue I have made when you hear the sound of the musical instruments. But if you refuse, you will be thrown immediately into the blazing furnace. And then what god will be able to rescue you from my power?” 16 Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego replied, “O Nebuchadnezzar, we do not need to defend ourselves before you. 17 If we are thrown into the blazing furnace, the God whom we serve is able to save us. He will rescue us from your power, Your Majesty. 18 But even if he doesn’t, we want to make it clear to you, Your Majesty, that we will never serve your gods or worship the gold statue you have set up.” 19 Nebuchadnezzar was so furious with Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego that his face became distorted with rage. He commanded that the furnace be heated seven times hotter than usual. 20 Then he ordered some of the strongest men of his army to bind Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego and throw them into the blazing furnace. 21 So they tied them up and threw them into the furnace, fully dressed in their pants, turbans, robes, and other garments. 22 And because the king, in his anger, had demanded such a hot fire in the furnace, the flames killed the soldiers as they threw the three men in. 23 So Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, securely tied, fell into the roaring flames. 24 But suddenly, Nebuchadnezzar jumped up in amazement and exclaimed to his advisers, “Didn’t we tie up three men and throw them into the furnace?” “Yes, Your Majesty, we certainly did,” they replied. 25 “Look!” Nebuchadnezzar shouted. “I see four men, unbound, walking around in the fire unharmed! And the fourth looks like a god!” 26 Then Nebuchadnezzar came as close as he could to the door of the flaming furnace and shouted: “Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, servants of the Most High God, come out! Come here!” So Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego stepped out of the fire. 27 Then the high officers, officials, governors, and advisers crowded around them and saw that the fire had not touched them. Not a hair on their heads was singed, and their clothing was not scorched. They didn’t even smell of smoke! 28 Then Nebuchadnezzar said, “Praise to the God of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego! He sent his angel to rescue his servants who trusted in him. They defied the king’s command and were willing to die rather than serve or worship any god except their own God. 29 Therefore, I make this decree: If any people, whatever their race or nation or language, speak a word against the God of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, they will be torn limb from limb, and their houses will be turned into heaps of rubble. There is no other god who can rescue like this!” 30 Then the king promoted Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego to even higher positions in the province of Babylon.

INTRODUCTION

For some of us — this is a familiar story from the book of Daniel — though I realize this may be a new story for others among us. A few years ago — during our Finding Jesus series through the Old Testament — this is the passage I used to help us find Jesus in the book of Daniel. If I’m being honest with you — it’s quite the challenge to preach a section of the Bible that I’ve preached previously. I try to avoid doing so as much as possible — the Bible’s a big book after all — there’s lots to preach. But — as I began writing this sermon — what I wondered most was if I’d end up writing the same sermon I preached years ago?

Thankfully — due to the Spirit’s help — approaching this chapter through the lens of exile helped me to write a sermon quite different from our last time in this chapter. For — with the interpretive lens of living in exile — the big idea for our chapter is this: Biblical faith is not confidence in particular outcomes; it is confidence in our sovereign God. Biblical faith is not confidence in particular outcomes; it is confidence in our sovereign God.

We find this idea in the key verses of our chapter — verses seventeen and eighteen — where we read the words of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego…

Daniel 3:17–18 (NLT)

17 If we are thrown into the blazing furnace, the God whom we serve is able to save us. He will rescue us from your power, Your Majesty. 18 But even if he doesn’t, we want to make it clear to you, Your Majesty, that we will never serve your gods or worship the gold statue you have set up.”

Biblical faith is not confidence in particular outcomes; it’s confidence in our sovereign God. Now — you may be with us today and not be a Christian. You may think that what Christian’s call faith is something similar to a superstition. “Religious people have faith — non-religious people have knowledge” is a common view in our culture today. But — I’d like to suggest that all of us — Christian or not — religious or not — all of us are people of faith and knowledge. In fact, I’d go so far to say that it’s impossible for you to not be a person of faith. As A.W. Tozer said, “Every man lives by faith, the non-believer as well as the [Christian]; the one by faith in natural laws and the other by faith in God.”

You see, the word faith means to trust. So whatever you trust in is what you have faith in. Some trust in natural laws — others trust in God — as Tozer suggests — but these aren’t the only options. Some trust in science. Others in psychics. Many have faith in themselves. Others have faith in a political ideology. You see — we can’t help but be people of faith. But what we can do — and this would promote some civility in our country — is recognize that we’re all people of faith — where we differ is what we’ve put our faith in.

Why does any of this matter? Currently — in our country — and some may argue that this has always been an issue for us — but currently there’s a cultural enforcement of faith. In the past, Christianity was the dominant faith in our country and — if you weren’t a Christian — the cultural expectations made it difficult for you to not live accordingly. It didn’t mean you were forced to be a Christian — or to believe what Christians believed — but — the overall culture of the US leaned Christian. For example, businesses were closed on Sundays. And there wasn’t much to do on Sunday if you weren’t part of a Christian church.

Today — however — in this era of post-Christendom — there’s a different faith that’s dominant in our country — a faith that’s being enforced by culture. If we keep Sundays as our example, many people now have to work on Sundays because businesses are open making many Christians have to choose between worship or work. School sports now practice or play games on Sundays forcing many parents and students to choose between church activities and sports activities. We could call this faith in busyness. Or faith in “your life is yours to live.” Or faith in “there is no God.” Sometimes faiths join forces — there can be power in numbers — which we’re experiencing currently in our country.

FORCED RELIGIOUS CONFORMITY

Now there are many examples beyond Sunday — I don’t need to list them — you experience them on a daily basis — but know that this is a strategy of the land of exile — forced religious conformity — and we see this in our text from Daniel. Let me show you — we’re back in verse one of chapter three.

Daniel 3:1–7 (NLT)

The forced religious conformity is pretty obvious in our verses. When the musical instruments were played — everyone was to bow down and worship the statue of the king. Because — if you don’t — to the furnace you will go. There are no exceptions. You obey or you die. That’s called forced conformity to the extreme.

Now — it’s been a few weeks since we’ve been in the book of Daniel — so let me remind you of what we encountered last time we were in the book. King Nebuchadnezzar had a bad night’s sleep because of a dream that kept him up all night. Kind of crazily, the king made a decree stating that — not only must someone interpret his dream for him — they must also tell him what he had dream or a lot of people were going to die — including Daniel and his friends.

In response to this unreasonable demand of the king, Daniel and his friends prayed for God to be merciful to them. And God was merciful. He revealed the dream and its interpretation to Daniel.

Now — do you remember the dream and its interpretation? The dream was of a statue, right? And the statue represented four different kingdoms — including Babylon led by king Nebuchadnezzar. And do you remember how Nebuchadnezzar and Babylon were depicted in the dream statue? As a head of gold, right?

Well look what’s going on now — in our verses. Nebuchadnezzar’s golden statue should immediately make us think of his dream — but now — it’s not just the head — but the entire statue is made of gold. So what is the king doing?

Though I can’t say with certainty — it appears that Nebuchadnezzar is trying to defy what’s been revealed to him by God in a dream. Remember kings — in this time period — would have magicians and enchanters and astrologers on their staff payroll to interpret dreams. In this day, dreams were believed to reveal the future. And kings — like Nebuchadnezzar — if the dream was bad news — would do everything within their power to keep the dream from coming true.

Back to his dream. In his dream — Nebuchadnezzar — representing the nation of Babylon — was the gold head. The rest of the statue represented other nations that would rise up and come to power after his. So — in building a statue made entirely of gold — it’s as if Nebuchadnezzar is saying, “The God of the Hebrews thinks my kingdom will come to an end. Just watch this. There will be no end to my kingdom.” For — an entirely gold statue — means Babylon, Babylon, Babylon — Nebuchadnezzar, Nebuchadnezzar, Nebuchadnezzar. There will be no other nations to rise up after his — for his kingdom and rule will be forever — this is what’s going on with Nebuchadnezzar building the gold statue and forcing everyone to bow down and worship his image or be thrown into a furnace.

Now — as of yet — in our land of exile — throwing people who don’t conform into a blazing furnace is still off limits. But this doesn’t mean the pressure to conform isn’t real and that there aren’t consequences for non-conformity.

It’s mid-October — and the office memo reminds everyone the option to wear purple to show support for LGBT+ Spirit Day. So — here’s the question: Is it really an option? Meaning — if someone doesn’t wear purple — what does that mean in our land of exile? Why — as a pastor — do I have folks tell me it’s easier to take a vacation day than to show up not wearing purple?

Or — it’s a Sunday in the fall. You’re favorite NFL team is playing and the national anthem begins — “Are we going there Josh? Yeah, we’re going there.” And someone refuses to stand — could be a player, a coach, or someone in the stands — it doesn’t matter. Them not standing — does that mean they hate America? Madonna called out a fan for not standing at her concert only to find out the women was in a wheelchair — that’s embarrassing!

It’s pretty easy to make a bad judgment call about someone else’s intentions — that’s all I’m suggesting. And — though you may think everyone should wear purple or should stand for the national anthem — doesn’t mean that everyone has to — unless you’re wanting to force conformity on others. And the reason why these two examples can get our blood to boil is because they represent conflicting religions in our country. Two ideologies — of many — that are in conflict with one another. Both demand forced conformity — yet — my guess is that these two examples offended you for very different reasons. One offended you because you feel like you’re being forced to conform to something you disagree with while the other example offended you because — where you can admit it or not — you do want people to be forced to behave in a certain way.

But God’s people are required to be different because our faith can’t be mixed with other religions either. Christianity plus a little political ideology or gender ideology — or fill in the blank with all other ideologies — Christianity plus anything else results in something other than faith in Jesus Christ. It may still be called Christianity — but that doesn’t mean that Jesus would agree. And — just like Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego — we’re faced with our own versions of golden statues that this land of exile requires that we bow down to. One — I think — can safely assume that many Jews in Babylon did bow down to the statue of Nebuchadnezzar. I’m not suggesting that our three guys were the only faithful Jews in Babylon — for all we know Daniel seems to have been away when all of this is happening — but we’d be naive to think that many Jews didn’t accommodate to the pressure to conform. And I’m sure they justified and rationalized as they bowed down to worship the statue. “I still believe in Yahweh. I mean, it’s not like he’d want me to be so committed that I’m thrown into a furnace because of my faith in him or anything?”

REFUSING TO CONFORM

Which leads us back to our big idea and our definition of faith: Biblical faith is not confidence in particular outcomes; it’s confidence in our sovereign God. Biblical faith means we trust in our God regardless of what we may experience due to our commitment to him. We see this as we continue in our verses — we’re in verse eight.

Daniel 3:8–23 (NLT)

8 But some of the astrologers went to the king and informed on the Jews. 9 They said to King Nebuchadnezzar, “Long live the king! 10 You issued a decree requiring all the people to bow down and worship the gold statue when they hear the sound of the horn, flute, zither, lyre, harp, pipes, and other musical instruments. 11 That decree also states that those who refuse to obey must be thrown into a blazing furnace. 12 But there are some Jews — Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego — whom you have put in charge of the province of Babylon. They pay no attention to you, Your Majesty. They refuse to serve your gods and do not worship the gold statue you have set up.” 13 Then Nebuchadnezzar flew into a rage and ordered that Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego be brought before him. When they were brought in, 14 Nebuchadnezzar said to them, “Is it true, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, that you refuse to serve my gods or to worship the gold statue I have set up? 15 I will give you one more chance to bow down and worship the statue I have made when you hear the sound of the musical instruments. But if you refuse, you will be thrown immediately into the blazing furnace. And then what god will be able to rescue you from my power?” 16 Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego replied, “O Nebuchadnezzar, we do not need to defend ourselves before you. 17 If we are thrown into the blazing furnace, the God whom we serve is able to save us. He will rescue us from your power, Your Majesty. 18 But even if he doesn’t, we want to make it clear to you, Your Majesty, that we will never serve your gods or worship the gold statue you have set up.” 19 Nebuchadnezzar was so furious with Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego that his face became distorted with rage. He commanded that the furnace be heated seven times hotter than usual. 20 Then he ordered some of the strongest men of his army to bind Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego and throw them into the blazing furnace. 21 So they tied them up and threw them into the furnace, fully dressed in their pants, turbans, robes, and other garments. 22 And because the king, in his anger, had demanded such a hot fire in the furnace, the flames killed the soldiers as they threw the three men in. 23 So Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, securely tied, fell into the roaring flames. - Daniel 3:8-23 (NLT)

Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego had a lot to lose. They were no lowly exiles living in this foreign land — they had risen to positions of power. Yet — they refused to allow their powerful positions to keep them from being faithful to their God.

Now — if you’re following their story — they just came out of a situation where they were going to be killed due to unreasonable demands of the king. And — it’d be understandable to think that their troubles would be over after they prayed to God to be merciful and him revealing the king’s dream and escaping from death. But — here we are again — and more trouble has come their way.

Let this be a reminder to those of us who are following Jesus in this land of exile: viewing troubles, difficulties, and challenges in life to mean that our faith is inadequate is a prescription for hopelessness, despair, and defeat. This is why it’s important for us to remember that biblical faith is not having confidence in particular outcomes; it’s confidence in a sovereign God. Where we trust that he is in control of all things — the dreams and unreasonable demands of kings — and what will happen to us if we refuse to conform to the expectations of this land of exile.

Notice how Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego respond to the king — who’s obviously full of rage and anger. “We don’t have to defend ourselves.” This reminds me of how Jesus was silent before his accusers during his execution — no need to defend himself. How is this possible — to live without a need to defend oneself? It’s possible by having confidence in your God.

“We don’t have to defend ourselves, O king. If we’re thrown into the furnace, our God is able to save us — for his power is greater than yours.” I bet believing this would give you some confidence. Not arrogance — nor pride — but confidence because of who your God is. But I know what you’re thinking. It’s their next words that are troubling because — “You see, Josh. If I knew that I could show up to work without wearing purple and that God would protect me from backlash then — no problem — I’d do it. But it’s their next words Josh that make this so hard.”

“But even if God doesn’t save us — we want to make it clear — that no matter the consequences — we will not conform. We will never worship the gold statue — even if it means we die.” And that’s the stuff for super Christians right? God doesn’t expect that of ordinary Christians — or does he? Let me ask this another way. Does the God you believe in accept halfhearted devotion to him? Is he OK with you bowing down to this land of exile’s golden statues?

Now a different question: Does the God of the Bible accept halfhearted devotion to him? Is the God of Scripture OK with us bowing down to the golden statues of this land of exile?

In the New Testament, the apostle Paul wrote…

Romans 10:2 (NLT)

2 I know what enthusiasm they have for God, but it is misdirected zeal.

Paul was writing about his fellow Israelites who had rejected Christ. But do you think he would’ve said these same words about Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego? “You know, those guys were really enthusiastic about God, but they were misguided when they let their enthusiasm get them thrown into the furnace.” I don’t think there’s anyway Paul would’ve said this about them. But what would Paul say about us? What would Paul say about your enthusiasm for God even when the potential consequences for being faithful are terrifying?

One tactic of our enemy — the devil — is to get us to believe lies. One of the most common lies he’s gotten us to believe — especially as Christians here in the US — is that life is supposed to be easy. That following Jesus means everything’s going to turn out wonderful for you today, and tomorrow, and all the days after that. And — in believing this lie — we’re rattled when life doesn’t live up to our expectation. We wonder why things have gone wrong. But — even worse — believing this lie leads to us conforming to the expectations of this land of exile. For — when we know or assume that taking a stand will result in a metaphorical fiery furnace — well of course that’s not what God would want us to do. For that’s not easy. That’s not a wonderful today setting up a wonderful tomorrow setting up a wonderful future.

The question these verses force God’s people to face — and if you’re not a Christian — forewarning that this is what it means to follow Jesus: Am I willing to be thrown into the roaring flames for my God? This is a question you have to prepare for. This isn’t a question you’re certain to pass without any study or preparation. This is why it’s so easy to conform — to justify our unfaithful behavior — because it’s easier to conform to culture than it is to be committed to our God who is always with us — even when we’re thrown in the furnace.

OUR FAITHFUL GOD WHO IS ALWAYS WITH US

We’re in verse twenty-four.

Daniel 3:24–30 (NLT)

24 But suddenly, Nebuchadnezzar jumped up in amazement and exclaimed to his advisers, “Didn’t we tie up three men and throw them into the furnace?” “Yes, Your Majesty, we certainly did,” they replied. 25 “Look!” Nebuchadnezzar shouted. “I see four men, unbound, walking around in the fire unharmed! And the fourth looks like a god!” 26 Then Nebuchadnezzar came as close as he could to the door of the flaming furnace and shouted: “Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, servants of the Most High God, come out! Come here!” So Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego stepped out of the fire. 27 Then the high officers, officials, governors, and advisers crowded around them and saw that the fire had not touched them. Not a hair on their heads was singed, and their clothing was not scorched. They didn’t even smell of smoke! 28 Then Nebuchadnezzar said, “Praise to the God of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego! He sent his angel to rescue his servants who trusted in him. They defied the king’s command and were willing to die rather than serve or worship any god except their own God. 29 Therefore, I make this decree: If any people, whatever their race or nation or language, speak a word against the God of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, they will be torn limb from limb, and their houses will be turned into heaps of rubble. There is no other god who can rescue like this!” 30 Then the king promoted Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego to even higher positions in the province of Babylon. - Daniel 3:24-30 (NLT)

Now before you get too excited for Nebuchadnezzar, think back to what you learned about him based on his response to the dream and Daniel’s interpretation of it for him. The king responded with what sounded like belief in God.

Daniel 2:47 (NLT)

47 The king said to Daniel, “Truly, your God is the greatest of gods, the Lord over kings, a revealer of mysteries, for you have been able to reveal this secret.”

This statement came before his golden statue — where he’s forcing people to conform or be thrown into the fire. Based on how he’s been acting in our chapter — I think it’s safe to say that Nebuchadnezzar didn’t really believe in Daniel’s God at the end of chapter two.

Now — in verse twenty-eight of chapter three — we see something that again looks like belief. But look closely at the king’s words.

Daniel 3:28 (NLT)

28 Then Nebuchadnezzar said, “Praise to the God of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego! He sent his angel to rescue his servants who trusted in him. They defied the king’s command and were willing to die rather than serve or worship any god except their own God.

Does the king say “Praise to my God?” No. He says, “Praise to the God of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego.” Of them — he says, “They were willing to die rather than serve or worship any god except their own God.” Not his God — their God.

Three men are thrown in — but four are in the furnace. Now here’s when — I hope you’ll forgive me — if I repeat myself from the last time I preached this passage — but the fourth man is described by language indicating that he’s a spiritual being — to quote Nebuchadnezzar, “the fourth [man] looks like a god!” And I can’t help but think, “Oh Nebuchadnezzar. This man doesn’t just look like a god — he is God.” For God has made this promise to his people.

Isaiah 43:2 (NLT)

2 When you go through deep waters, I will be with you. When you go through rivers of difficulty, you will not drown. When you walk through the fire of oppression, you will not be burned up; the flames will not consume you.

This fourth man in the furnace is what theologians call a theophany. A theophany is a “manifestation of God.” (Dictionary of Theological Terms) We find theophanies throughout the Old Testament. It could be a person, or an angel, or a bush that’s on fire but doesn’t burn up — but these all “signify the presence and glory of God.” (Dictionary of Bible Themes)

And here — in the furnace — this fourth man signifies the presence and glory of God with Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego as they are thrown into a fire of flames that don’t consume them. For God is present with them. And the promise to us — God’s people today — is that he is present with us — even in the fire — and that he will save us.

The name Jesus means “God saves.” This is what Jesus came to accomplish — the salvation — or rescue — of his people. Jesus is also known by another name — Immanuel — which means “God with us.” And — what this theophany in the furnace is meant to remind us is that — Jesus — our Savior — is Immanuel — God with us. And Jesus promised that he would send us God the Holy Spirit to be our Teacher, Helper, and Guide to navigate living in this land of exile.

CONCLUSION

Do you want to know the secret to being faithful in this land of exile? Only people who really know who God is are willing to get thrown into the fire for what they believe. And any time we give in and conform to culture and the faiths and religions it wants us to bow down to — we reveal that we’ve believed another lie from our enemy: that God isn’t who he says he is in his Word. For the God of Scripture is the God has promised to always be with his people — even in the fire. He’s the God who has promised to always be faithful to us — even when we’re unfaithful to him — because being faithful is who he is. And when we reject the devil’s lie and believe God’s truth — no furnace will cause us to be unfaithful — even when obeying God to things not turning out the way we want them to. For we will be God’s faithful people — men and women — living faithfully in exile. And we will be people who live by biblical faith. Faith — as one pastor has said, “[That] has the assurance to say, ‘I know my God is able to deliver me.’ And the confidence to say, ‘I believe that my God will deliver me.’ But [we will be people who have] the submission to say, ‘But even if he doesn’t — I will still trust him.’” (Kent Hughes)

Let’s pray.

PRAYER

Heavenly Father, thank you for your presence in our lives. For being in control of all things. Tyrant kings who seem to go from bad to worse to beyond unreasonable. Thank you that not one king has ever been outside of your power and control.

Holy Spirit, you’ve been sent to comfort your people. And in this land of exile we are desperate for your comfort. Your comfort that leads — not to conformity and compromise — but to taking a stand without need of defending ourselves. A comfort where we leave our defense and rescue in your hands. Which means this is a comfort that comes by our trusting in you and not in ourselves.

Jesus, for anyone going through a fiery furnace experience — I ask that you would assure them of your presence. Often — when life is hard — we judge you to be absent, uncaring, maybe even non-existent. Please forgive us for not trusting in your promise to never leave us. You are more faithful to us than we are to you — it’s not even a comparison. Forgive us for so often viewing our faithfulness to you greater than your faithfulness to us. Give us eyes to see your faithfulness to us — for then we will live with confidence that leads to our faithfulness. And we pray all of this in your name. Amen.

BENEDICTION (Prayer teams available)

As face the pressure to conform — may you faithfully stand — knowing that your Savior is standing with you. Amen.