In ancient Babylon, when three brave Jewish ministers were committed to obey God’s word, they also faced severe persecution from King Nebuchadnezzar.
“Now if you are ready whenever you hear the sound of the horn, flute, zither, lyre, harp, pipe, and all kinds of music to fall down and worship the image which I have made, good: but if you don’t worship, you shall be cast the same hour into the middle of a burning fiery furnace; and who is that god that shall deliver you out of my hands? Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego answered the king, Nebuchadnezzar, we have no need to answer you in this matter. If it happens, our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the burning fiery furnace; and he will deliver us out of your hand, O king. But if not, let it be known to you, O king, that we will not serve your gods, nor worship the golden image which you have set up. Then was Nebuchadnezzar full of fury, and the form of his appearance was changed against Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego. He spoke, and commanded that they should heat the furnace seven times more than it was usually heated. He commanded certain mighty men who were in his army to bind Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, and to cast them into the burning fiery furnace. Then these men were bound in their pants, their tunics, and their mantles, and their other clothes, and were cast into the middle of the burning fiery furnace.” (Daniel 3:15-21 WEB)
In short, the three men refused to worship the king—it would be betraying God and committing the sin of idolatry.
King Nebuchadnezzar was so angry that he commanded for the fire to be heated seven times hotter than usual before throwing the men in.
You see, the furnace is a picture of demonic attack.
If you fall sick and you insist on trusting God for healing, the demons will try to increase the intensity of the attack by seven times to intimidate you!
They are angry that the attack didn’t destroy your faith.
The story might have ended tragically for the three men if God was not involved.
As God’s word says, whoever trusts in Yahweh (the pre-incarnate Jesus) will never be put to shame.
They were saved from the furnace and the fire had no effect on them!
“Then Nebuchadnezzar came near to the mouth of the burning fiery furnace: he spoke and said, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, you servants of the Most High God, come out, and come here. Then Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego came out of the middle of the fire. The satraps, the deputies, and the governors, and the king’s counselors, being gathered together, saw these men, that the fire had no power on their bodies, nor was the hair of their head singed, neither were their pants changed, nor had the smell of fire passed on them.” (Daniel 3:26-27 WEB)
There’s a saying that it’s always darkest before the dawn.
It may get worse before it gets better.
Keep persevering in prayer and hearing the word.
There’s only so much that the devil can do to scare you into giving up.
If you boldly stand on God’s word and claim His promises, your faith will be rewarded.
God has a protection plan for you. For every degree of persecution and attack that the enemy increases against you, there is a greater level of Grace present to deliver you from harm.
“Don’t lay in wait, wicked man, against the habitation of the righteous. Don’t destroy his resting place: for a righteous man falls seven times, and rises up again; but the wicked are overthrown by calamity.” (Proverbs 24:15-16 WEB)
Did you read the passage above? Because you’re righteous in Christ, you qualify for a seven times deliverance for a seven times hotter attack!
So don’t be afraid, God promises that you will rise up again in due time.
Your enemies will be overthrown, but you will be stepping into a place of great restoration and rewards!
Did you enjoy this post? Learn about eternal rewards and God’s secrets of protection in the face of persecution in my book “Sandcastles Don’t Last Forever” ===>
https://www.amazon.com/Sandcastles-Dont-Last-Forever-Biblical/dp/172671327X
#faith #Grace
