Flannelgraph Faith: Prayer and His Presence

2017-08-13 
Pastor Jonathan Falwell 

Memory Verse:
Daniel 3:17
If that is the case, our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the burning fiery furnace, and He will deliver us from your hand, O king.

Today, we’ll take a look at one of the great Old Testament stories of faithfulness and deliverance. There are many such stories in the OT but the supernatural power found in this and next week’s story are unmatched. Today, we’re talking about the fiery furnace and Shadrach, Meschach and Abednego.

These three were dear friends of Daniel and, like him, had been taken from their homes to serve before the King as described back in Daniel 1. God had protected them and given them special wisdom and strength during their time in captivity.

Daniel 1:17 As for these four young men, God gave them knowledge and skill in all literature and wisdom; and Daniel had understanding in all visions and dreams.

Through some pretty interesting circumstances, they had been given special authority by the King because of the events of Daniel 2. But things were about to change. The trials of life were about to hit them head on.

How To Make It Through When It Doesn’t Seem Possible

1. Pray Like It Matters…Because It Does

Daniel 2:16 So Daniel went in and asked the king to give him time, that he might tell the king the interpretation. 17 Then Daniel went to his house, and made the decision known to Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah, his companions, 18 that they might seek mercies from the God of heaven concerning this secret, so that Daniel and his companions might not perish with the rest of the wise men of Babylon. 19 Then the secret was revealed to Daniel in a night vision. So Daniel blessed the God of heaven.

* When their life depended on it, they prayed, do you?

2. Compromise Will Never Deliver

Daniel 3:17  If that is the case, our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the burning fiery furnace, and He will deliver us from your hand, O king. 18 But if not, let it be known to you, O king, that we do not serve your gods, nor will we worship the gold image which you have set up.”

* Once again, their very lives depended on their decision at that very moment, but they didn’t waiver. Their trust in God was absolute

* Many Christians today trust God and believe His Word but when another option shows up that might seem better, they fold

* Had they agreed to bow down at that moment, they may well have been saved from being thrown into the fiery furnace, but at what cost?

3. The World’s Power Is No Match For His

Daniel 3:27 And the satraps, administrators, governors, and the king’s counselors gathered together, and they saw these men on whose bodies the fire had no power; the hair of their head was not singed nor were their garments affected, and the smell of fire was not on them.

Daniel 3:28 Nebuchadnezzar spoke, saying, “Blessed be the God of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-Nego, who sent His Angel and delivered His servants who trusted in Him, and they have frustrated the king’s word, and yielded their bodies, that they should not serve nor worship any god except their own God!”

* These three didn’t enter the fire alone, God was with them

* Today, God has sent His Holy Spirit to walk through anything with us

John 14:26 But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all things that I said to you.

Isaiah 43:2b – 3a When you walk through the fire, you shall not be burned, Nor shall the flame scorch you. 3 For I am the Lord your God, The Holy One of Israel, your Savior;

Matt. 10:28 And do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. But rather fear Him who is able to destroy both soul and body in hell.