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Scripture for the day: Daniel 3:17-18 If that is the case [that they would be thrown into the fiery furnace], our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the burning fiery furnace, and He will deliver us from your hand, O king. But if not, let it be known to you, O king, that we do not serve your gods, nor will we worship the gold image which you have set up.”
Thought for the day: I spoke from these verses yesterday; let me share a few of the thoughts that go along with this statement by the Hebrew servants. I believe beyond a shadow of a doubt that my God is able to provide for my every need, protect me in every circumstance, deliver me from every evil, heal my every disease and restore every relationship, no matter how broken it may be. I also believe that our faith must go beyond those simple statements and base our confidence on something more than immediate relief or temporal blessings. Read Hebrews 11 in light of this call to a life of faith. The author names several of the heroes of the faith; those who saw miracles beyond what we can even imagine – and we all shout, “Praise be to God!” But then he goes on to mention a whole list of unnamed heroes who suffered and died for their testimony with not even an honorable mention for their faith. What did these two groups have in common? They both lived their lives with God’s agenda first, regardless of circumstances, and so must we. 
 Look again at the three Hebrew servants, Shadrach, Meshach and Abed-Nego (or more correctly, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah). They were faced with certain death if they refused to bow down to a foreign God. They were absolutely convinced of God’s ability to deliver them from the king’s hand. They told him of their confidence and then said, “But if not…” three little words that should inspire us to move on regardless of any threats against us.
 God may indeed provide joy. John 15:11 tells us, “These things I have spoken to you so that My joy may remain in you, and that your joy may be complete.” But if not, we can say with Jeremiah, “The joy of our heart has ceased,” or we can say with David, “Weeping may endure for a night, but joy comes in the morning.”
 God may reward us. Paul told Timothy, “Finally, there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord will give my on that day” (2 Timothy 4:8). But if not, “I have learned in whatever state I am, to be content” (Phil. 4:18). 
 God may indeed deliver us. Paul said, “The Lord will deliver me from every evil work and preserve me for His heavenly kingdom” (1 Timothy 4:18). But if not, “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith” (2 Timothy 4:7). 
 Read the rest of the story in Daniel chapter three. God didn’t deliver them from the fire; He protected in the midst of it. When I read this story once again, I’m reminded that the fire has no power over me. The worst that could happen is that I could lose my life, which would be equivalent stepping from darkness into light. 
Annie Johnson Flint put it best, I think, when she wrote:

God hath not promised skies always blue,
Flower-strewn pathways all our lives through;
God hath not promised sun without rain,
Joy without sorrow, peace without pain.
God hath not promised smooth roads and wide,
Swift easy travel, needing no guide.
He hath not promised we shall not bear
Many a burden, many a care.
But God hath promised strength for the day, 
Rest for the labor, light for the way,
Grace for the trials, help from above,
Unfailing sympathy, undying love.
Now go take on your world.  -  Bill