Acting Upon the Promptings of Faith

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Bible Reading

Daniel 3
2 Thess 1

Dan 3:16-18 Shadrach, Mishach, and Abednego replied, “O Nebi, we do not need to defend ourselves before you. 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, O King. 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.

Dan 3:27-30 the fire had not touched them. Not a hair on their heads was singed, and their clothing was not scorched. the didn’t even smell likes smoke! Then Nebi said, “Praise the God of Shardrach, Meshach, and Abednego! He sent his angel to rescue his servants who trusted in him. They were willing to die rather than serve or worship any god except their own God.

Daniel 4 – Nebi’s dream, and it’s prophecy… (Dan 4:17, 32) for 7 periods of time he (Nebi) will have the mind of a wild animal instead of the mind of a human… so that everyone will know that the Most High rules over the kingdoms of the world. He gives them to anyone he chooses, even to the lowliest of people.

Dan 4:34-35 After this time had passed, my sanity returned, and I praised and worshiped the Most High and honored the one who lives forever. His rule is everlasting and his kingdom eternal. All the people of the earth are nothing compared to him. He does as he pleases among the angels and among the people of the earth. (37) Now I Nebi, praise and glorify and honor the King of heaven. All his acts are just and true, and he is able to humble the proud.

2 Thess 1:7-8 God will provide rest for you who are being persecuted and also for us when the Lord appears from heaven. He will come with his mighty angels in flaming fire, bringing judgement on those who don’t know God and on those who refuse to obey the Good News.

2 Thess 1:11 So we keep praying for you, asking our God to enable you to live a life worthy of his call. May he give you the power to accomplish all the good things your faith prompts you to do.

Devotional Thoughts

If 2 Thess 1 were a commentary on the events that took place in Daniel chapter 3, it’s interesting what we find.

Daniel’s 3 friends are facing a crisis of faith. They have been commanded to bow to a statute of Nebi or be burned alive! 2 Thess 1:7 says, “God will provide rest for you who are being persecuted…” God doesn’t promise rescue here. He doesn’t promise removal of the persecution or trial. He promises rest! What is this rest, and where does it come from? 2 Thess 1:2-4 gives a little clue I think to where it comes from.

“We ought to always thank God for you, as it is right, because your faith is growing abundantly… therefore we boast about you in the churches for your steadfast faith in all your persecutions and in all the afflictions that you are enduring.” The rest comes from increasing, growing, steadfast faith. Faith in what? I think we can go back to Daniel 3 to answer that question.

Dan 3:16-18 Shadrach, Mishach, and Abednego replied, “O Nebi, we do not need to defend ourselves before you. 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, O King. 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.

This brings us back to what I wrote a couple days ago from Ephesians 3. In faith, knowing the height, depth, width and breadth of God’s love for us, the love that surpasses knowledge… knowing that in His power he is able to do far more than we can ask or imagine, and in his love, he is going to do what is the very best for us… then I can face every circumstance with the confidence of Daniel’s 3 friends. “The God whom we serve is able to save! He will rescue us from the power of the king.” This may not be a physical rescue from the circumstances. But certainly a rescue from the debilitating affects of worry, anxiety and fear!

2 Thess 1:11 So we keep praying for you, asking our God to enable you to live a life worthy of his call. May he give you the power to accomplish all the good things your faith prompts you to do.

Prayer Outline:

  1. Continue to grow in your comprehension of the breadth, length, height and depth of God’s love for you.
  2. Continue to grow in confidence of that love, and God’s power, and confidence in His will for your life today.
  3. Find that peace that is beyond understanding, because of your growing faith.
  4. May you find the power, the strength, to act upon the things God prompts you to do by faith today.

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