Daily Devotional For Friday., August 7, 2026
Good morning Southside! Our daily devotional for today comes from Daniel 3. Because this is a long passage, just click on the link (Daniel 3) to read it or use your Bible to read it. This is one of my favorite stories as a child from the Bible.
If you have been in church, you know this story. King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon had erected a 90 foot gold statue of himself requiring people to worship this gold statue and if they failed, they were to be executed by being thrown into a fiery furnace. Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego refused to do this and were reported. They were thrown into the fiery furnace and to Nebuchadnezzar’s surprise, he immediately saw 4 men, not 3.
When we read these stories, we may wonder why God intervenes in situations like this but not ours that are overwhelming or life threatening. Nebuchadnezzar knew he was seeing God because these 3 men were not even hurt nor did they smell of smoke when they walked out of the fiery furnace. This is a story that many people know like one liners from movies they may have never seen. Here are a few examples:
- “You’re gonna need a bigger boat” (Jaws).
- “Toto, we’re not in Kansas any more” (The Wizard of Oz).
- “Here’s looking at you kid” (Casablanca).
- “You can’t handle the truth” (A Few Good Men).
- “May the force be with you” (Star Wars).
This story causes us all to think: “If I was given a choice to deny Christ and live or not to deny Christ and die, what would I do?” We do not know if this 4th person was Jesus or an angel, but it really does not matter to the outcome. Either way this expresses God’s Presence with us in the “fires” and "furnaces" of life. We are told that this fire was so intense that the heat killed the soldiers that threw them into the furnace. This story reminds me of Isaiah 43:2, “When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; And through the rivers, they will not overflow you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be scorched, Nor will the flame burn you” (NASB).
Notice here that God does not promise to keep us from going through waters or fires, but that He will be with us as we do. In fact, according to Acts 14:21-22, suffering and tribulation are part of the Christian faith. We are even to be joyful when this happens to us (see 1 Peter 1:6-7). It is being in the furnace that our faith is tested, proven and seen as genuine or fake. Even Jesus went through His own "furnace” – the cross.
We see Nebuchadnezzar’s reaction as death to anyone who spoke a word against the God of Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego. We do not see Nebuchadnezzar worshipping their God, only being in fear of Him. There are many people in the church and the world who will never worship the Lord, nor fear Him, but they will say to you and me, “Well, I’m glad you found something that works for you. But I will never submit to any God.” Well, there is coming a day when “every one will bow in heaven, on earth and underneath the earth and they will also confess verbally that Jesus Christ is Lord (Phil. 2:10-11).
Reflection Assignment: Do you consistently submit to the Lord or resist the Lord? Why do you think Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego were willing to die for their faith? Please do not give the “church answer.” They had no prior knowledge that God would protect them (Dan. 3:16-17). They only had trust and faith. So, where do you think they got that? What do you think you would have done and why? What if it was your spouse or one of your children or your grandchildren? What do you think you would do and why?
Scripture To Meditate On: Matthew 10:33, “But everyone who denies me here on earth, I will also deny before my Father in heaven” (NLT).
Prayer To Pray: “Lord, I pray that if I am ever put in a situation where I have to choose to confess You or deny You in order to save my life, I will confess You. I know that each day I have the same choice but just in different ways. Help me to never be embarrassed or ashamed of You. I love You Lord. In Jesus’ name, Amen!”
I love you Southside! – Pastor Kelly