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

~Hebrews 11:1 ESV

In the Book of Daniel, we read about four friends who exemplified outstanding faith. How so? They had complete assurance in God even without the certainty of the outcome of life or death situations they would face.

Perhaps this clues you as to their identity. They are Daniel, and his friends Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah. We are more familiar with the names King Nebuchadnezzar gave them—Belteshazzar, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego. Daniel and his friends went through three years of training in order to serve King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon who had enslaved them.

Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah were thrown into a fiery furnace because they refused to bow to the king’s false god and worship it even if it cost them their lives. Though they were not sure God would save them, but they still trusted Him. They knew God saw the big picture and their place in it. They also knew the one true God is faithful and true. Dead or alive, they were in His hands. Therefore, 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 was still burning, and he did not expect to see anyone alive. The king not only saw the three who were cast into the furnace, but he saw he saw four men walking around instead of Daniel’s three friends. Who was this fourth Man? King Nebuchadnezzar knew he was in the presence of a real deity. He 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 set a new ordinance in place that instructed everyone to bow to and worship only him. The consequence for disobedience was that they would be thrown into a den of lions King Darius owned.

As we could expect for a man with the faith and commitment Daniel had, he continued to worship God only, bowing and worshipping Him as he regularly did, and therefore he was thrown into the lions’ den. Daniel was willing to die, but God shut the mouths of the lions, so they were unable to do harm to him. When King Darius looked into the den, and he saw that Daniel had been untouched by the lions, he was shocked. As a result, the King put his trust in Daniel’s God.

The Book of Daniel shows us that sometimes it takes more than a faith-statement to prove faithfulness to God. @venable_wells #VineWords #BookofDaniel #Faith Click To Tweet

The Book of Daniel shows us that 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. If He were to do so, would we display the extraordinary faith these four heroes did? Daniel, Hanaiah, Mishael, and Azariah, were not superhuman. They were just willing to be used by God in whatever way He desired. Because of this, God used them to prove His great power.

What if we demonstrated faith like that? Theirs was not blind faith, but faith that sees with the eyes of the heart. The four heroes of Daniel had faith that moves mountains and changes lives. I want my mountains moved and I want life-changing faith, just like these men had. Whether or not we are asked to die for Him, the fact remains that Jesus died for us.

Our faith is not meant to be confined behind the walls of the church.

We are to share the good news not only in our churches, but wherever God places us.

~Evelyn Wells

Our faith is not meant to be confined behind the walls of the church. We are to share the good news not only in our churches but wherever God places us. In our workplaces, amongst our friends, on the mission field—wherever God directs us—He calls us to a life of faith and trust in the Lord Jesus Christ. Jesus may not ask us to die for Him, but He asks us to daily live for Him.

Our faith is not meant to be confined behind the walls of the church. @venable_wells #VineWords #Daniel #Faith Click To Tweet

Share four ways that living a life of faith can bring joy to yourself and others.

Thank You, Father in heaven, for Your love, mercy, and grace. You have provided a way for us through Jesus Christ Who sacrificed Himself for us. He is the only way to salvation and I readily make Him Lord of my life. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

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

Meet Our Contributor 

EVELYN MASON WELLS

Evelyn Mason Wells is an award-winning author who has contributed to Heart Renovation: A Construction Guide to Godly Character (2019 Selah finalist, Lighthouse Bible Studies), Glimmers of Heavenly Light (Faith Books & More), Let the Earth Rejoice (Worthy Inspired), Breaking the Chains (2018 Selah finalist, Lighthouse Bible Studies),  Just Breathe (Worthy/Ellie Claire), and Feed Your Soul with the Word of God (Lighthouse Bible Studies). She writes for Refresh Bible Study magazine.

She is a Bible Study Writer, and Devotion Writer for VineWords: Devotions and More, and a contributing author to Love Knots: Stories of Faith, Family, and Friendships (VineWords Publishing).

Passionate about glorifying God through her writing and speaking, Evelyn enjoys spending time on short-term mission trips, both domestic and foreign. She was recently blessed with an opportunity to speak/minister in Uganda.

Evelyn loves attending Bible Studies, spiritual retreats, and having good conversation with friends over lunch or a glass of tea. She is also an avid fan of the Georgia Bulldogs and Atlanta Braves. Evelyn enjoys good books, her cats, traveling, and especially spending time with her family. 

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