Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen.

~Hebrews 11:1 ESV

In the Book of Daniel, God taught faith lessons to friends who exemplified outstanding faith, even without the certainty of knowing whether they would live or die.

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Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego went through three years of training to serve King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon, who had enslaved them. Daniel also went through this rigorous training. All learned faith lessons. 

The three friends were thrown into a fiery furnace because they refused to bow to the king’s false god and worship it. Though they were not sure God would save them, they still trusted Him. They knew God saw the big picture and their place in it. Dead or alive, they were in His hands.

They said to the king, “If we are thrown into the blazing furnace, the God we serve is able to deliver us from it, and he will deliver us from Your Majesty’s hand. But even if he does not, we want you to know, Your Majesty, that we will not serve your gods or worship the image of gold you have set up” (Daniel 3:16b-18 NIV).

When the heat subsided, the king looked into the furnace. The fire still burned, and he did not expect to see anyone alive. He not only saw the three friends, but he also saw four men walking around alive and unharmed. Who was this fourth Man? King Nebuchadnezzar knew he was in the presence of a real deity and stated that the fourth Man looked like a Son of God. We know this Man as Jesus Christ.

Daniel also demonstrated great faith. When King Darius conquered Babylon, he exalted himself, proclaiming himself to be a god. He established a new ordinance that instructed everyone to worship only him. The consequence of disobedience was being thrown into a den of lions.

As we could expect from a man with great faith, Daniel continued to worship only God, bowing as he regularly did. When officials discovered his disobedience to the king, they told the king, and he cast Daniel into the lions’ den. Daniel was willing to die, but God shut the mouths of the lions, so they were unable to harm him. When King Darius looked into the den, he was shocked to see that Daniel was unharmed. As a result, the king trusted Daniel’s God.

Sometimes, it takes more than a faith statement to prove faithfulness to God. Sometimes He may ask us to put our lives on the line. These men of faith were not superhuman, but they were willing to let God use them in whatever way He desired. Because of this, God used them to prove His great power.

Friend, if God were to require us to have this level of faith, would we display the extraordinary trust these four heroes did? How would our witness influence those around us if we demonstrated faith like that?

Their faith saw with the eyes of the heart. These heroes had mountain-moving faith. I want my mountains moved, and I want life-changing faith, just as these men had. Whether or not God asks us to die for Him, let’s remember Jesus died for us.

Share how living a life of faith can bring joy to yourself and others. What faith lessons has God taught you? 

Thank You Father in Heaven for Your love, mercy, and grace. You’ve provided salvation through Jesus Christ, and I readily make Him Lord of my life. Amen.

Genre: Biblical non-fiction

Copyright 2020: Lessons in Faith: Evelyn Wells: All Rights Reserved