Sometimes we feel like we are going through a lot of unnecessary hard times. Some people like to say they are going through the fire. My bible tells me that God will be there for me any time any place. Even in the middle of the fire like He was for Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-nego.
Open with prayer
Daniel 3:1-6
Nebuchadnezzar the king made an image of gold, whose height was threescore cubits, and the breadth thereof six cubits: he set it up in the plain of Dura, in the province of Babylon.
Then Nebuchadnezzar the king sent to gather together the princes, the governors, and the captains, the judges, the treasurers, the counsellers, the sheriffs, and all the rulers of the provinces, to come to the dedication of the image which Nebuchadnezzar the king had set up. Then the princes, the governors, and captains, the judges, the treasurers, the counsellers, the sheriffs, and all the rulers of the provinces, were gathered together unto the dedication of the image that Nebuchadnezzar the king had set up; and they stood before the image that Nebuchadnezzar had set up. Then an herald cried aloud, To you it is commanded, O people, nations, and languages, That at what time ye hear the sound of the cornet, flute, harp, sackbut, psaltery, dulcimer, and all kinds of musick, ye fall down and worship the golden image that Nebuchadnezzar the king hath set up: And whoso falleth not down and worshippeth shall the same hour be cast into the midst of a burning fiery furnace.
I. Some people think just because you are a Christian you will not have tough times
A. That is not the always the truth
1. Satan after you
2. Old friends old habits
3. People are a product of our environment
4. Memories
B. Old habits hard to break
1. A cigarette habit
2. A drinking habit
3. A old porn habit
C. Let’s look at the position of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-nego.
1. Daniel 3:12-15 There are certain Jews whom thou hast set over the affairs of the province of Babylon, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego; these men, O king, have not regarded thee: they serve not thy gods, nor worship the golden image which thou hast set up. Then Nebuchadnezzar in his rage and fury commanded to bring Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego. Then they brought these men before the king. Nebuchadrezzar spake and said unto them, Is it true, O Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, do not ye serve my gods, nor worship the golden image which I have set up? Now if ye be ready that at what time ye hear the sound of the cornet, flute, harp, sackbut, psaltery, and dulcimer, and all kinds of musick, ye fall down and worship the image which I have made; well: but if ye worship not, ye shall be cast the same hour into the midst of a burning fiery furnace; and who is that God that shall deliver you out of my hands?
II. These three men of God refused to bow down to the King’s God
A. They knew that their God would provide for them
B. They had unending faith
C. Were talking three small men against the King and his army
Daniel 3:16-17 Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-nego answered and said to the king, O Nebuchadnezzar, we have no need to answer thee in this matter. If it be so, our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the burning fiery furnace; and he will deliver us out of thy hand, O king. But if not, be it known unto thee, O king, that we will not serve thy gods, nor worship the golden image which thou hast set up.
D. The kind of faith that we need to beat the things that are against us
III. In reality they knew they would be delivered one way or the other (Unharmed or with Him in heaven)
A. That is what we need to do
B. Refined by the fire
1. Three ladies had a bible study and were talking about being refined by the fire. They did not understand about being refined in the fire like silver. One volunteered to go to the silversmith and see what that meant. When she went she did not tell the silversmith why she was really there. He proceeded to tell her about being sure the silver was put in to the hottest part of the fire. He explained that was so all the impurities would be burned away. He also said he had to watch it all times to make sue it was not in there too long. If it was there too long it would be ruined. The lady asked, “How do you know when it is done”? His answer was, “That is easy. When I see my reflection”.
2. So it is with God. We may be in the hottest part of the fire, but God will not let us in it so long that we will be destroyed.
3. But he will leave is there until all the impurities are burned away and He sees His reflection in us.
IV. We need the kind of faith to know God will be there for us
A. Daniel 3:24-25 24. Then Nebuchadnezzar the king was astonished, and rose up in haste: he spake and said unto his counsellors, Did not we cast three men bound into the midst of the fire? They answered and said unto the king, True, O king. He answered and said, Lo, I see four men loose, walking in the midst of the fire, and they have no hurt; and the aspect of the fourth is like a son of the gods.
E. Four men not three> The fourth Jesus
F. Jesus will always be by our side in the fire and the trying times we have.
G. Are you going through a tough time right now?
Let us pray.
