Congratulations! You’re in a Fiery Furnace!

January 8, 2018

DAILY READING

Daniel 3:1-30

FIELD NOTES

I used to hate being thrown into life’s fiery furnaces. Now, I am more likely to say, “I don’t like this Lord. Because you helped me before, I can’t wait to see how you are going to get me out of this mess.”

Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego were very godly men, and because of their faithfulness, they got thrown into a fiery furnace.

Sometimes, life throws us into fiery furnaces of situations related to health, family, jobs, finances, politics, addictions, and every day relationships. While God does not send evil upon us, God create something good from it (Romans 8).

James 1:2-4 teaches that we can count it all joy when we meet trials, because through the trials, we can become perfect and complete. Paul even boasts of his sufferings, because they produce character, resulting in hope (Romans 5:4).

God promises to refine us like silver (Malachi 3:3). The refiner knows the silver is purified when the silver reflects the refiner’s face.

As with Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, God is with us in fiery furnaces, and like them we can dance and sing knowing that God will get us through it, no matter the outcome. For me, a result is the peace that passes all understanding (Philippians 4:7). This is not easy, but the more I trust, the easier it gets.

QUESTIONS FOR THE FIELD

• What are some of your life’s fiery furnaces, past and/or present?
• How did Jesus get you through those in the past?
• If applicable to now, how are you allowing Jesus to get you through the present?

FAMILY FIELD TALK

• How has God helped your family through fiery furnaces in the past?
• How might God help (or is helping) with a fiery furnace today?

PRAYER GUIDE
Most loving gracious Lord, source of all life. We praise and thank you for our lives. We do not like being thrown into fiery furnaces; yet, as with Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, we know that you are there with us. Help us trust you to get us through the fires. Help us become stronger as a result of being in the fire. Please refine us such that people can see you in us, even in the fires of life. In your gracious name I pray. Amen.