Greetings to you all in the name of our Loving Lord.

How many of you feel that life is unfair and you are being tested? Some of you might say “yes, not just being tested but feels like living in a furnace of fear, chaos and uncertainty”.

Today I want to share with you the life of Daniel and his friends. For those of you who are not sure of this story, let me brief you the first few incidents of Daniel and his friends.

Daniel and his friends were chosen by the King Nebuchadnezzar’s official to be trained for 3 years and then enter into the King's service. When King Nebuchadnezzar's dream couldn’t be interpreted by the wisemen, the King ordered that the wisemen be put to death. Daniel then bought some time from the King. Daniel and his friends pleaded for God's mercy so that they will not be put to death God was gracious and revealed the mystery to Daniel in a vision. When Daniel interpreted the dream to the King, the King said to Daniel, “Surely your God is the God of gods and the Lord of kings and a revealer of mysteries, for you were able to reveal this mystery.” The King placed Daniel in a high position. At Daniel's request his friends were appointed as administrators over the Babylon province. The King built a statue and commanded everyone to worship the statue. Daniel’s friends refused to do as the King commanded and were thrown into a blazing furnace.

From Daniel 1, 2, 3 we can learn a couple of things.

1. God allowed them to be chosen by the King. He did that knowing Daniel and his friends will always trust in Him. Sometimes we are allowed to face challenges not because it’s our fate or it’s our bad luck (well that’s what we always think first when it happens to us) but because God has confidence in us that we will continue to trust him in any situation.

2. Daniel 1:6&7 says, ”Among those who were chosen were some from Judah: Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael and Azariah.The chief official gave them new names: to Daniel, the name Belteshazzar; to Hananiah, Shadrach; to Mishael, Meshach; and to Azariah, Abednego.” Daniel and his friends were one among many who were chosen. Many a times we have been one of many. But that’s not how God sees you. You are the one that can achieve everything with God’s favour and wisdom. In Daniel 2, we see that the King asked the wisemen to narrate the dream and interpret it. The wisemen insisted the King to narrate his dream. The King was furious and ordered to execute all the wisemen (Daniel 2:12).

In the rest of Daniel chapter 2, we read how Daniel pleaded for God’s mercy and how God revealed the dream. Daniel was blessed not only to interpret the dream but also narrate the dream. When all the wisemen, astrologers failed to do it, God chose Daniel to reveal the kings dream because Daniel looked up to Him. In your toughest situation, look up to Him and He will lift you up.

3. One more character of Daniel that impressed me is he never forgot about his friends. His friends pleaded along with him for God’s mercy and God revealed the dream to Daniel in a vision. When this was narrated to King Nebuchadnezzar, the King was highly pleased and placed Daniel in a high position. This is where most of us are different from Daniel. When we achieve things in life we fail to forget about those who helped us when we were down. Daniel, however remember his friends and pleaded to the King that the become administrators of the Babylon province. Do remember to pray for those who helped you for who you are today and do everything to help them become what you are today.

4. In Daniel 3, we read about King Nebuchadnezzar building a statue and ordering all the people to worship the statue. He also commanded if anyone fails to worship the statue will be thrown into a blazing furnace. Daniel’s friends refused to worship the statues. When the King heard this he summoned for them. He asked them if they are thrown into the furnace what God will save them. In Daniel 2:16 “Shadrach, Meshach and Abednegoreplied to him, “King Nebuchadnezzar, we do not need to defend ourselves before you in this matter. If we are thrown into the blazing furnace, the God we serve is able to deliver us from it, and He will deliver us from your majesty’s hand. But even if He does not, we want you to know, your majesty that we will not serve your gods or worship the image of gold you have set up.” They were so confident that the God they serve will deliver them but even if He doesn’t they will not worship the statue. They had no absolute doubt in their decision. Are we like them? We need to trust God and have complete faith in Him. This is what it means to believe in Him to the fullest.

5. The King ordered the furnace to be heated seven times, asked the strongest men to tie Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego. They were thrown into the fire. After a while when the King looked into the furnace, he saw 4 men walking around the fire unbound. Even when they heard the King order the furnace to be heated seven times they still continued to persevere. Perseverance at times of trouble is the key to a journey through chaos and trouble.

A prayer for us:

Heavenly Father, we commit our lives to you once again. Thank you for choosing us. We pray for your grace, mercy on our lives to trust you in every situation and persevere till the end.

May Your will happen in our lives.

Amen!

Sis. Aaltiya David

God’s Love Missions Family

**please write back to us so we can share your joy in testifying the Lord for His mercy**