“United Faithful Friends”
Friday, July 11, 2025Key Verse
“If it be so, our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the burning fiery furnace, and he will deliver us out of thine hand, O king” (Daniel 3: 17)
Text — Daniel 3: 7-18
Message
The united friends in our text, Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego, were highly ranked in privileged positions in Babylon. However, when persecution came they preferred to worship God rather than the golden image set up by king Nebuchadnezzar. Similarly, the poetic lines of John Roy Hooper (1495-1555) below, the English Bishop of Worcester and Gloucester, speak volumes. In the face of imminent death he encourages us to stand for God during persecution:
“Fear not death, pass not for bands,
Only in God put thy whole trust;
For He will require thy blood at their hands,
And thou dost know that once die thou must,
Only for that thy life if thou give,
Death is not death, but a means for to live.
Do not despair;
Of no worldly tyrant be thou in dread;
Thy compass, which is God’s Word, shall thee lead,
And thy wind is fair.”
Like the three Hebrew youths, dear friends, as we journey from youth to old age; we must develop strong faith and trust in God. We have a duty to continually encourage our peers and friends with strong persuasion to strengthen their faith in Christ in every situation, especially during persecution.
Quote
They preferred to worship God
Challenge
By faith, obey God in all circumstances.
Prayer for today
Lord, give me grace to stand for You even in persecutions.