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Day 4 Daniel 3:19 Then Nebuchadnezzar was full of fury, and the expression on his face changed toward Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-Nego. He spoke and commanded that they heat the furnace seven times more than usual. 20 And he commanded certain mighty men of valor who were in his army to bind Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-Nego and cast them into the burning fiery furnace. 21 Then these men were bound in their coats, trousers, turbans, and other garments, and cast into the midst of the burning fiery furnace. 22 Therefore, because the king’s command was urgent, and the furnace exceedingly hot, the flame of the fire killed those men who took up Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-Nego. 23 And these three men, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-Nego, fell bound into the midst of the burning fiery furnace. 24 Then King Nebuchadnezzar was astonished; and he rose in haste and spoke, saying to his counselors, “Did we not cast three men bound into the midst of the fire?” They answered and said to the king, “True, O king.” 25 “Look!” he answered, “I see four men loose, walking in the midst of the fire; and they are not hurt, and the form of the fourth is like the Son of God.” 26 Then Nebuchadnezzar went near the mouth of the burning fiery furnace and spoke, saying, “Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-Nego, servants of the Most-High God, come out, and come here.” Then Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-Nego came from the midst of the fire. 27 And the satraps, administrators, governors, and the king’s counselors gathered, 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. 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 frustrated the king’s word, and yielded their bodies, that they should not serve nor worship any god except their own God! 29 Therefore I make a decree that any people, nation, or language which speaks anything amiss against the God of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-Nego will be cut in pieces, and their houses made an ash heap; because there is no other God who can deliver like this.” 30 Then the king promoted Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-Nego in the province of Babylon. Tolerance is the name of the game when it comes to religion, what people believe, and who they worship. Yet, people don’t tolerate those who worship God and serve Him. They went to great lengths to take God’s name out of public life. Prayer and talking about God isn’t tolerated or taught in schools or workplaces. King Nebuchadnezzar built a gold statue in his likeness and ordered everyone to fall on their faces and worship it. Three Jewish men refused to worship the image and were thrown into a fiery furnace heated seven times hotter than usual. When they were thrown into the furnace the fire burned and killed those who threw them in, but Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-Nego were not touched by the fire and King Nebuchadnezzar saw a fourth person in the fire with them, whom he acknowledged as the Son of God. He ordered them to come out of the furnace. When they did, he found that not even the smell of smoke was on them. The fire didn’t touch them. He then proclaimed that anyone who spoke against the God of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-Nego would die, and their homes turned into ashes. Many Christians don’t want to upset the status quo and take a stance of tolerance so they won’t come to harm by their peers, lose their jobs, or come under fire from anyone. Yet, when Christians take a stand for God, they will find God standing with them. Instead of losing their jobs, they’re promoted. Instead of losing their stance among their peers, they’re looked up to. When you keep your integrity as a Christian, God will fight for you and keep you safe no matter what you face. He will bless you when you bless Him. Let’s pray: Father, help me always to stand with You and not with the world. When the world closes in on me, let me step out in faith and part the flames of tolerance because I know You stand with me when I stand for You. In Jesus’ name, I pray. Amen. Copyright © 17 July 2023 by Valerie Routhieaux The image belongs to me.