Today’s scripture: Daniel 3:1-30 (ESV-text and audio) (KJV) (The Message)
As you read, consider: What might God be saying to me? Summarize your thoughts in a sentence or two.
My thoughts on this passage (Tammy Mills):
If I see one more of those Staples “Easy Button” commercials, I am going to scream!
Did you know that you can now buy “Easy Buttons” to decorate your home or office? The Easy Button perpetuates the myth (or at least, it has been a myth in my life) that there is a magic button, or pill, or formula that can suddenly make everything in life easy. I have wasted too much of my life trying to find that illusive Easy Button!
In today’s scripture we meet three young men who certainly could have used an Easy Button. Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego were facing some difficult times. Because of their refusal to worship Nebuchadnezzar, they were thrown into the fiery furnace.
The amazing part of this story, for me, is that God sent an angel (or some other being) down to be with them and protect them in the fire. How great is it to think we serve a God who is willing to go through the fire with us!
Notice what God didn’t do — God didn’t magically make the terrible circumstances go away. Instead, God was “in the fire” with them. I find that thought really powerful. As I go through “fiery” times I will think of the angel sitting in the fire with Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego and remember that God is also sitting with me, in the “fiery” times of life.
Thought for the day: Can you picture the presence of God comforting and guiding you through “fiery” times?
We encourage you to include a time of prayer with this reading. If you need a place to start, consider the guidelines on the How to Pray page.