The Pressure

Daniel 3

We come to this scene in Scripture with King Nebuchadnezzar having made a golden image of himself that was about 100 feet tall. He orders “all people, nations, and languages” to bow down and worship this statue image when they hear the herald cry out and the loud musical noise play. If anyone did not follow this decree, the king would have them publicly executed by throwing them into a fiery furnace. Three young men, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, openly oppose Nebuchadnezzar to his face. They do not serve his gods nor worship his image. The furious king binds them and throws them into the furnace. When Nebuchadnezzar looks into the furnace, he doesn’t see three dead men, but four men walking around! The forth’s image is “like a son of the gods”. There is another in the fire with them.

When we find ourselves under the most severe pressure in the worst circumstances it’s natural to feel absolutely and utterly alone. Who would ever want to be brought into my personal anguish? The three men of our story are met and delivered by Jesus Himself. They were not alone in the most dire of circumstances—and neither are we. There is another in the fire, and He’s standing next to us. Jesus is with us in our pressure—and He will never leave.

Prayer:

Jesus, thank you for your loving care and walking right along side of me when I feel alone in my struggles.

Question to consider:

Who should I reach out to and remind them that Jesus is with them today?