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How God is with You When You Need Him the Most

But some of the astrologers went to the king and informed on the Jews. They said to King Nebuchadnezzar, “Long live the king! You issued a decree requiring all the people to bow down and worship the gold statue when they hear the sound of the…musical instruments.That decree also states that those who refuse to obey must be thrown into a blazing furnace. But there are some Jews—Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego—whom you have put in charge of the province of Babylon. They pay no attention to you, Your Majesty. They refuse to serve your gods and do not worship the gold statue you have set up.” Then Nebuchadnezzar flew into a rage and ordered that Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego be brought before him. When they were brought in, Nebuchadnezzar said to them, “Is it true, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, that you refuse to serve my gods or to worship the gold statue I have set up? I will give you one more chance to bow down and worship the statue I have made when you hear the sound of the musical instruments.But if you refuse, you will be thrown immediately into the blazing furnace. And then what god will be able to rescue you from my power?” Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego replied, “Nebuchadnezzar, we do not need to defend ourselves before you. If we are thrown into the blazing furnace, the God whom we serve is able to save us. He will rescue us from your power, Your Majesty. But even if he doesn’t, we want to make it clear to you, Your Majesty, that we will never serve your gods or worship the gold statue you have set up.” DANIEL 3:8-18 NLT

The types of fire we face:

– Foolish fire

…the babbling of a fool invites disaster. PROVERBS 10:14 NLT

– Sinful fire

And among all the parts of the body, the tongue is a flame of fire…It can set your whole life on fire, for it is set on fire by hell itself. JAMES 3:6 NLT

– Natural fire

Dear friends, don’t be surprised at the fiery trials you are going through, as if something strange were happening to you. 1 PETER 4:12 NLT

– Supernatural fire

Nebuchadnezzar was so furious…his face became distorted with rage. He commanded that the furnace be heated seven times hotter than usual. Then he ordered some of the strongest men of his army to bind Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego and throw them into the blazing furnace. DANIEL 3:19-20 NLT

No matter the fire God is always with me

God is with me through his Spirit

I can never escape from your Spirit! I can never get away from your presence! PSALM 139:7 NLT

God is with me through his word

For the word of God is alive and powerful. HEBREWS 4:12 NLT

God is with me through his people

“For where two or three gather together as my followers, I am there among them.” MATTHEW 18:20 NLT

God is with me now and forever through Jesus Christ

But suddenly, Nebuchadnezzar jumped up in amazement and exclaimed to his advisers, “Didn’t we tie up three men and throw them into the furnace?” “Yes, Your Majesty, we certainly did,” they replied. “Look!” Nebuchadnezzar shouted. “I see four men, unbound, walking around in the fire unharmed! And the fourth looks like a god!” Then Nebuchadnezzar came as close as he could to the door of the flaming furnace and shouted: “Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, servants of the Most High God, come out! Come here!” DANIEL 3:24-26 NLT

Community Group Discussion Questions

  1. Where are some of the places you love seeing or experiencing natural fire and where are the places you don’t want to see or experience it?
  2. Read Daniel 3:8-23. In what ways is your view of God or feelings about him affected by the fact that Shadrach, Meshach and Abenego did everything right and yet God still let them go through the fire?
  3. Read Daniel 3:24-26. The three men in this story were miraculously rescued, but were prepared to suffer the consequences. When faced with life’s fires, do you expect to be delivered from them every time or do you go into times of fire with an openness to God’s will and timing?
  4. As you think back to times where you have suffered in the past, how important do you think those fires were for your growth and in what ways does that comfort you in the process?
  5. Read psalm 139:7. Where was God during your fires? Did you see him clearly as he was with you or did you have to trust that he was with you?
  6. Read Matthew 18:20. In what practical ways have the people in your life helped you connect with God and his peace during fires n your life? Is there anything you’re going through right now that we could help with?

Personal Reflection Guide

Find a place where you will not be distracted. If anxious thoughts intrude, cast them upon Jesus. Sit in silence until you feel reasonably calm. When you do, ask God to use your imagination and bible knowledge to picture Jesus looking at you. What do you see and feel? Ask him to bring to mind a fire you are currently going through. Since Jesus is always with you, ask him to show you where he is in this fire. Reflect on what you saw and felt as Jesus was looking at you. How does his presence help you to face this fire? Thank Jesus for being with you in the fire and ask him what you can do this week to cooperate with him in going through it. As he shows you, take action.

My Notes