GOD’S WORD FOR  MAY 5

We are reading from a daily devotional  called “Running To Win” written by Erwin Lutzer  and the late, great D.L. Moody.   Erwin Lutzer is a light in our day as D.L. Moody was in his.  Besides his many ministries, and many books, Pastor Lutzer was Senior Pastor at Moody Church in Chicago for 36 years and now serves as Pastor Emeritus there.  He is Chancelor and a former professor at Moody Bible Institute, where he taught Theology and Ministry, and now has numerous radio teachings.

JESUS WALKS WITH US THROUGH THE FIRE

Daniel 3:25

“But I see four men unbound, walking in the midst of the fire.”

D.L. MOODY

It does my heart good to think that the worst the devil can do is to burn off the bonds of God’s children.  If Christ be with us, the worst afflictions can only loosen our earthly bonds and set us free to soar higher.

ERWIN LUTZER

Nebuchadnezzar promoted Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego to high positions in his land.  But due to an ego problem, he set up an image of himself in Daniel 3;5.  When these three men wouldn’t bow to the image, the king had them thrown into a burning, fiery furnace,  How did these men have the courage to stand there and say, “Throw us into the fire, but whether we are delivered or not, we’ll not deny God.”?

They were willing to trust God’s unknown providence  They did not have absolute assurance of being delivered but they said to the king, “but, if not….”  In other words:  We won’t bow before the image.  God doesn’t deliver everyone;   many Christians have died as martyrs for their faith.  Daniel was delivered from the lions, but any Christians were thrown to lions.  We cannot discern God’s hidden purposes, but we must continue to believe even when we do not understand.

We should not judge God by our immediate circumstances.  We should go on believing Him even without a miracle of deliverance because we have come to know and trust the living and the true God.  Sometimes He delivers us;  sometimes He comforts us;  we know God is with us. He never abandons His children in the flames;  NEVER.  HE IS THERE.

PRAYER

Father, please help me remember the promise that You will never leave me nor forsake me (Hebrews 13:5).  Through fire, famine, or plenty, you walk with me all the way home.

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*Psalm 3:3

“But thou, O Lord are a shield for me: my glory and the lifter of my head.”

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*Deut. 1:30

“The Lord your God who goes before you, He shall fight for you, ,,,”

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*IIChronicles 16:9

“For the eyes of the Lord run back and forth throughout the whole earth, to show Himself strong on the behalf of them whose heart is toward Him.”

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Isaiah 43:2

“When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and through the rivers, they shall not overflow you: when you walk through the fire, you shall not be burned, neither shall the flame kindle upon you.”

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*Psalm 91:1&2

He that dwells in the secret place of the most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty.

 I will say of the LORD, He is my refuge and my fortress: my God; in him will I trust.

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*Psalm 4:8

I will both lay  down in peace, and sleep: for you, LORD, only make me dwell in safety.

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*Psalm 91:4  He shall cover you with His feathers and under His wings shall you trust; His truth shall be your shield and buckler.

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*Psalm 37: 39 & 40

But the salvation of the righteous is from the LORD;

He is their strength in the time of trouble.

And the LORD shall help them and deliver them;

He shall deliver them from the wicked,

And save them,

Because they trust in Him.

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