Today’s Thought “Pressure Point” G. Ward

 

“Blessed by the name of God for ever and ever, to whom belongs wisdom and might. He changes times and seasons; he removes kings and sets up kings; he gives wisdom to the wise and knowledge to those who have understanding; he reveals deep and mysterious things; he knows what is in the darkness, and the light dwells with him.” Daniel 2:20-22

 

The Daniel of the bible personified what it was to have total confidence in Holy God. Faced with a tumultuous death sentence if not interpreting King Nebuchadnezzar’s perplexing dream correctly. It brings forth whole new significance with understanding the song The Heat Is On!

Before Daniel’s nervous behavior exudes, his natural inclination was to pray (Da.2:20-22). Unlike many, it wasn’t expressive of immediate rescue for himself, but humbly gave praise regarding the will of God; regardless.

Rarely in this modernity are we exposed to such exemplary leadership as such. The most intellectual among us would have felt a need to promote persuasive negotiation. The extremely talented would comprise an avenue of entertainment for the king, to help subtract from his ordinary heinous acts. The faithless would just collapse due to an extreme case of hypertension, dying before the king’s judgment would prevail.

I believe we all, categorically echo these sentiments. The way however to unfeigned faith in God is to become practitioners of absorbing His ways through the best example given man, Jesus Christ (Eph.5:1-2).

Absolutely no fiery furnace can hold us when contained in Christ (cf. Da. 3:8-27). This does not suggest narcissistically that you won’t burn physically unto death; it demands that death has no sting (1 Co.15:55-56), because to be “absent in the body, is presence with God (2 Co.5:6-9)!” Until this might happen for you like it did for Daniel, don’t you get up in the king’s face talking about, “turn up the furnace 200 or 300 more degrees, my God will protect me!” The next song we’ll hear is Precious Lord, Take My Hand at your funeral (cf. Lk.4:12). Happy Friday!