✝ Daily Encouragement (1/25/24) "Unshakable Confidence"
Published: Thu, 01/25/24
A daily, Bible-based perspective of hope, encouragement and exhortation. The online Bible teaching ministry of Stephen & Brooksyne Weber.
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![]() Home Archives About Us ![]() ![]() This morning we drove by a tree that Rick, a friend of ours told us about,
Lancaster County's 'Old
Sycamore'. It is estimated to be some 350 years old! In our 23 years here in Lancaster County and searching out
interesting sights we had never seen this. See below for a photo of the sign.
(Click on photo to enlarge) "Unshakable
Confidence"
Note:
This week we are sharing a four part series based upon four characteristics demonstrated by
Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael and Azariah. Our previous messages were "Uncompromising Convictions", "Unwavering Commitment", "Unswerving Courage". Tomorrow's message we will consider another in the fire.
Message summary: Today we need to demonstrate an attitude of "But if not" faith, and we know many who are doing so. We can indeed have "Unshakable Confidence"!
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"Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego answered and said to the king, “O Nebuchadnezzar, we have no need to answer you in this matter. If this be so, our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from
the burning fiery furnace, and He will deliver us out of your hand, O king. But if not, be it known to you, O king, that we will not serve your gods or worship the golden image that you have set up” (Daniel 3:16-18).
Today let us examine a three word phrase in the latter part of today's text, "But If Not". We feel this is one of the greatest faith proclamations in the Bible. It was uttered by three courageous young men whose story is recorded in the book of Daniel. Their testimony is an extraordinary example of uncompromising allegiance to the Almighty God in the face of our relentless enemy. The account of these men of faith is surely one of the greatest acts of deliverance recorded in Scripture. It demonstrates to believers of all ages the incredible power of faith, courage and obedience. They got into serious trouble because they refused to compromise a core commandment of God in bowing down to the 90 foot tall golden image Nebuchadnezzar had set up. The consequence for failing to comply to the king’s command was being thrown into a fiery furnace. The three Hebrew men (boys, likely older teenagers) were given a final opportunity to submit to the king's edict but instead they boldly declared, “O Nebuchadnezzar, we have no need to answer you in this matter. If this be so, our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the burning fiery furnace, and He will deliver us out of your hand, O king. But if not, be it known to you, O king, that we will not serve your gods or worship the golden image that you have set up.” Most of you have heard the story often, perhaps even from your early Sunday School years, and you remember it for the amazing deliverance that took place. Brooksyne remembers often looking at a picture depicting the scene in her grandparents' Bible, back when many Bibles included artistry depicting famous Bible stories such as the Crossing of the Red Sea, Moses with the Ten Commandments, Jesus born in the Manger and so forth.
But going into it the three Hebrews did not know what the outcome would be so their faith-based resolve was not dependent on the deliverance they experienced. They knew ultimately that it was God whom they
would answer to. Their training as earnest, faithful Jews clearly stipulated that bowing down to an idol was forbidden.
"If this be so, our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the burning fiery furnace." Notice the phrase, "our God whom we serve". This likely infuriated Nebuchadnezzar who was accustomed to demanding the service and even worship from his subjects.
"[God] is able to deliver us from the burning fiery furnace"
. Indeed He is able to do all things, for He is a supernatural, miracle working God.
But what follows is a three word phrase that powerfully demonstrates their unconditional, unwavering faith, "but if not". Some versions word it, "But even if He does not". In other words, though all things are possible with God, if He chooses to work in another way, "be it known to you, O king, that we will not serve your gods or worship the golden image that you have set up". ![]() But midway through verse 35 the outcome, as it pertains to this earthly life, changes into cringeworthy deeds of persecution and martyrdom described in the following examples, "others were tortured, not accepting their release, so that they might obtain a better resurrection; and others experienced mockings and scourgings, yes, also chains and imprisonment. They were stoned, they were sawn in two, they were tempted, they were put to death with the sword; they went about in sheepskins, in goatskins, being destitute, afflicted, ill-treated (men of whom the world was not worthy), wandering in deserts and mountains and caves and holes in the ground" (Hebrews 12:35b-38). The Bible also has this record with those such as John the Baptist, Stephen, and James who were martyred while faithfully serving God. They were not delivered in the same sense as that of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego. But ultimately they were delivered! But no matter the circumstances God is no more or less God, no more or less powerful, no more or less faithful, no more or less good, no more or less merciful.
Our narrow, temporal outlook may be "skewed" because we can only see this side of heaven but as we consider God in the eternal realm we realize that He is working for our eternal good, no matter
what. As the oft repeated phrase from years ago states, "God is good all the time, and all the time God is good."
Today we need to demonstrate an attitude of, "but if not" faith, and we know many who are doing just that. If we exhibit that kind of faith we too will have "Unshakable Confidence"!
Be encouraged
today,
Hebrews
3:13
Stephen & Brooksyne
Weber
![]() * Such confidence we have through Christ before God. (2 Corinthians 3:4) * In Him and through faith in Him we may approach God with freedom and confidence. (Ephesians 3:12) * So do not throw away your confidence; it will be richly rewarded. (Hebrews 10:35)
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Scripture references are from The Holy Bible: New International Version. © 1984 by International Bible Society; NEW AMERICAN STANDARD BIBLE®, Copyright © 1995 by The Lockman Foundation, New King James Version (NKJV) Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. and the King James Version.
Personal Mission Statement: "I am created by God to bring Him glory. Through God's Son Jesus Christ I have been redeemed and make it my life's goal to please the Lord. My mission in life is to honor God through my faith and obedience and prepare myself and all whom I may influence for eternity."
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Stephen & Brooksyne Weber
717-823-0592
Daily Encouragement Net
https://www.dailyencouragement.net
Mail service provider is aweber.com
495 Kraybill Church Rd
Mount Joy PA 17552
USA
Unsubscribe | Change Subscriber Options