SEPTEMBER 19, 2012
Standing
In The Fire
Read: Daniel
3:10-25
Our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the burning
fiery
furnace. —Daniel
3:17
Wrapped in blankets in
my grandparents’ pickup, I watched as
fire consumed our home. My father says I
slept soundly as he
carried my brother and me and our puppies out to safety.
When
I woke up and saw the huge blaze, I was already safe. I was too
curious
and too young to be scared.
I remember several
things from that night. Even inside the truck,
the heat was intense and the
fire was mesmerizing. I remember
too the fear on the faces of everyone else,
checking and re-checking
to see if loved ones were safe. Later I learned that
in the chaos my
father raced into the fire to look for my grandfather, which
prompted
my grandfather (who was not inside the house) to race in to get my
father. Their courage affected all who saw it that night.
I’m reminded of that
fire every time I read the story of Shadrach,
Meshach, and Abed-Nego. When
challenged with the decree to bow
to the king or face execution (Dan. 3:10-12),
these three bravely
faced the fire for the One they loved (vv.16-18). And the
Lord stood
with them in the flames (v.25).
When life’s “flames”
test us, may those who observe our choices
recognize our love for each other
and for our God.
For Further Thought
Read more of Daniel and his friends in Daniel
1–3.
How do their lives encourage you to stand firm
for God?
Ask the Lord to help you make courageous
choices today.
Trials
are the soil in which faith grows.
Source:
Our Daily Bread 2012
