May 17th 2023 7:55pm
Hedge, a wall of fire that man could not quench even if he wanted to.
Exodus 19:18
18 Mount Sinai was covered with smoke, because the LORD descended on it in fire. The smoke billowed up from it like smoke from a furnace, and the whole mountain trembled violently.
When Daniel and his friends refused to bow they made a difficult choice, do they listen to the King and bow before an idol or do they remember who they are and whom they serve and stand firm on the unshakable, unchangeable word of God that was spoken by their forefathers.
Daniel 1:17-19
17 As for these four young men, God gave them knowledge and skill in all literature and wisdom; and Daniel had understanding in all visions and dreams 18 Now at the end of the days, when the king had said that they should be brought in, the chief of the eunuchs brought them in before Nebuchadnezzar. 19 Then the king interviewed them, and among them all none was found like Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah; therefore they served before the king.
Boldness is required, I hear the Lord speak. The Christian walk is faith-based; we do not see where we are going but still abide in him trusting that small still voice will lead us to what was spoken in Jeremiah 29:11 to have hope, a future, and an expected end. I often ask in prayer should I go or stay? I ask God because I know who I am; a mighty woman in his kingdom, and with that whom I take my direction from matters.
Psalm 37:23-24 KJV
The steps of a good man are ordered by the LORD: And he delighteth in his way. Though he fall, he shall not be utterly cast down: For the LORD upholdeth him with his hand.
Psalm 84:11
For the Lord God is a sun and shield: the Lord will give grace and glory: no good thing will he withhold from them that walk uprightly.
We all have free will, choices that we will have to make. Do we bow to the Golden image Daniel 3:10 or do we stand firm on God’s word and be bold and say “O Nebuchadnezzar, we have no need to answer you in this matter (Daniel 3:16). We know that as believers of Jesus Christ that we will face persecution but often times never do depending on where we are in the world. Does this mean that it can’t happen? No, but what do we do when it does? Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-nego made this bold statement knowing for certain that it might not end well after being told they would be tossed into the fire. But they had faith in God and trusted that their times were in his hand and that no one not even the ruler of that nation could take it away from them. They served the Mighty on, Strong in battle (Psalm 24:8 The LORD strong and mighty, the LORD mighty in battle. Trusting that if it was his will he shielded them from the destroyer placing a wall of fire, a hedge of protection, a mighty fortress around them in time of trouble.
I want to draw your attention to a powerful statement made by these men of God from Daniel 3:18.
Daniel 3:18
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 stood firm in the face of death and said “Even if God doesn’t deliver us we still won’t serve you, Satan.
False God= False religion= Idols= The world’s way of doing things.
But I believe that there will be a line drawn in the sand. I believe that the day is coming when we will have to stand boldly before friends, family, and even the government and say no “Hail King Jesus” even if it means losing out on what some would say is needed.
#Selah which means pause and reflect on what was just spoken
Change can be scary but when following the Holy One don’t fear about not having enough, I hear the Lord say provision will be provided with each step, stay close, my Sheep know my voice which can be read in the Book of John 10:27-28.
Daniel 3:20-25
And commanded some of the strongest soldiers in his army to tie up Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego and throw them into the blazing furnace. 21 So these men, wearing their robes, trousers, turbans and other clothes, were bound and thrown into the blazing furnace. 22 The king’s command was so urgent and the furnace so hot that the flames of the fire killed the soldiers who took up Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego, 23 and these three men, firmly tied, fell into the blazing furnace.24 Then King Nebuchadnezzar leaped to his feet in amazement and asked his advisers, “Weren’t there three men that we tied up and threw into the fire?” They replied, “Certainly, Your Majesty.”25 He said, “Look! I see four men walking around in the fire, unbound and unharmed, and the fourth looks like a son of the gods.”
I heard the Lord say “Tell them I am with them and not to be moved when men rise up against them. We must understand who we are in Christ and that the same ditch they have dug for God’s Children will swallow them up. Just look at verse 22 and see what happens when men attempt to follow instructions to destroy God’s people They themselves ended up falling.
2 Timothy 3:1-5
But mark this: There will be terrible times in the last days. 2 People will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boastful, proud, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, 3 without love, unforgiving, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not lovers of the good, 4 treacherous, rash, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God— 5 having a form of godliness but denying its power. Have nothing to do with such people.
Perilous: Dangerous; hazardous; full of risk; as a perilous undertaking; a perilous situation.
We are living in Perilous times the spirit of God nudges me and unless anchored in Christ Jesus some might become fearful causing them to drop their sword #wordofGod thinking that peace is on the other side. But in the name of Jesus Christ, the devil is a liar we surrender to no one, and may the fire of God surround and strengthen his people. May the Holy Spirit ignite a fire in our spirit so strong reminding us that there are more of us than there are with them (2 Kings 6:16-18). Pray he says and I will again answer by fire just like I did for my servant Elijah.
Don’t fear for I am with you.
Closing Prayer
Father God, I pray in the name of Jesus that you will teach your children how to maneuver in this world full of wolves. Matthew 10:16 Behold, I send you forth as sheep in the midst of wolves: be ye therefore wise as serpents, and harmless as doves. Let us not be like what was spoken in 2 Timothy 3:7 Ever learning, and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth.
Truth is who you are Lord, and I pray that truth is what we will continue to desire in the mighty name of Jesus. I pray Nahum 3:5-6 and ask you God to continue to bring your enemies to ruin.
The song of the week is called Another in the Fire by Hillsong United I pray as you listen to this song that the Spirit of God will equip you will the knowledge needed to persevere.
Love you all,
The Carpenters Mother