OUT OF WEAKNESS MADE STRONG
Wednesday – June 20, 2018, Tamuz 7, 5778
Greetings and welcome back to this wonderful study of faith taken from the faith Book itself, the Book of Hebrews. My featured picture is of Patti and me many years ago (probably 1980 or 1981) in El Paso, Texas. Oh, how time flies. She is even more beautiful today as she walks the streets of Heaven. Now let us get to our study by reading our primary text aloud.
Hebrews 11:32-34 (KJV)
32 And what shall I more say? for the time would fail me to tell of Gedeon, and of Barak, and of Samson, and of Jephthae; of David also, and Samuel, and of the prophets:
33 Who through faith subdued kingdoms, wrought righteousness, obtained promises, stopped the mouths of lions,
34 Quenched the violence of fire, escaped the edge of the sword, out of weakness were made strong, waxed valiant in fight, turned to flight the armies of the aliens.
As we look at the phrase “Quenched the violence of fire” our thoughts may have raced to the account of the three Hebrew children who were thrown into the fiery furnace. Like Daniel they refused to bow to anyone except the one true God, the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. Some of the decrees which the devil inspires come by way of official, governmental sources, others may be more peer pressure, or a testing of what you really believe when faced with the threat of a loss of some sort. So, let us pick up the testimony of the three Hebrew children and ask ourselves, what might we have done.
Daniel 3:4-6 (KJV)
4 Then an herald cried aloud, To you it is commanded, O people, nations, and languages,
5 That at what time ye hear the sound of the cornet, flute, harp, sackbut, psaltery, dulcimer, and all kinds of musick, ye fall down and worship the golden image that Nebuchadnezzar the king hath set up:
6 And whoso falleth not down and worshippeth shall the same hour be cast into the midst of a burning fiery furnace.
These men did not fall down and worship the golden image. Of course, there were those who were all too happy to inform the king. They were the ones like with Daniel, who set the trap in the first place. The devil is setting traps for each of us day in and day out.
Daniel 3:12-13 (KJV)
12 There are certain Jews whom thou hast set over the affairs of the province of Babylon, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego; these men, O king, have not regarded thee: they serve not thy gods, nor worship the golden image which thou hast set up.
13 Then Nebuchadnezzar in his rage and fury commanded to bring Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego. Then they brought these men before the king.
Perhaps you can see the baker or the flower shop owner in these accounts who would not fall down and worship the god of the LGBT perversions. They held to their faith in God and were cast into the fiery furnace. If they do not waver God will make them whole and more. Back to the Hebrews.
Daniel 3:14-15 (KJV)
14 Nebuchadnezzar spake and said unto them, Is it true, O Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, do not ye serve my gods, nor worship the golden image which I have set up?
15 Now if ye be ready that at what time ye hear the sound of the cornet, flute, harp, sackbut, psaltery, and dulcimer, and all kinds of musick, ye fall down and worship the image which I have made; well: but if ye worship not, ye shall be cast the same hour into the midst of a burning fiery furnace; and who is that God that shall deliver you out of my hands?
Nebuchadnezzar gave these men a second chance just as the devils will give you and me a multitude of chances to fall down and worship at his feet. The feet of the one who comes ONLY to steal, kill and destroy in our lives. We must be very careful to only fall at the feet of the One who came ONLY to give us an abundant life. So, let us continue along with this wonderful testimony.
Daniel 3:16-18 (ESV)
16 Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego answered and said to the king, “O Nebuchadnezzar, we have no need to answer you in this matter.
17 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.
18 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.”
Live or die these men were determined to trust their God and not fall down and worship the gods of the King or the golden statue. You know the story, the king heated the furnace seven times normal, but God delivered them without even the smell of smoke.
Daniel 3:28-30 (ESV)
28 Nebuchadnezzar answered and said, “Blessed be the God of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, who has sent his angel and delivered his servants, who trusted in him, and set aside the king’s command, and yielded up their bodies rather than serve and worship any god except their own God.
29 Therefore I make a decree: Any people, nation, or language that speaks anything against the God of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego shall be torn limb from limb, and their houses laid in ruins, for there is no other god who is able to rescue in this way.”
30 Then the king promoted Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego in the province of Babylon.
What if they were full of fear and not faith? What if their faith was in the power of the king or the fire of the furnace? Until our next publication, I speak this Scriptural prayer for your life right now, receive it in the name of Jesus, confess it, and walk it out with thanksgiving.
Ephesians 1:16-17 (KJV)
16 Cease not to give thanks for you, making mention of you in my prayers;
17 That the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give unto you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of him:
By: Dr. David Wood, Author, Bible Teacher, and Prophetic Voice
PARTNERSHIP AND GIVING – Those of you who are not Partners of this Ministry and you find this ministry to be of value to you and perhaps others with whom you share it, we ask you to consider becoming Partners. A Partner is one who prays for the Ministry on a regular basis and contributes to the Ministry on a regular basis (monthly, quarterly, annually). Thank you and may the Lord be pleased with your decision.
CONTACT E-MAIL: pastordavidwood@gmail.com
BLOG: https://awakeariseandtriumphministries.org
FACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/awakearisetriumphministries
TWITTER: https://twitter.com/PastorDavidWood
MAILING ADDRESS: 10 Village Green Circle, Oakland, Maine 04963
