(Read Daniel 3:19)
This morning we continue our series, “Grace that is Simply Amazing” by continuing our mini-series entitled, “Grace Based Success (Prosperity)”. In our last message we looked at verses 16-18 of Daniel chapter three, where Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego refused, for a second time, to bow before Nebuchadnezzar’s statue. The Hebrew boys unashamedly verbalized their complete confidence in God and in His ability to save them. Let’s pick up the the story from there. Today we will only look at one verse.
The Bible says, “Then Nebuchadnezzar became very angry with Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego. He gave an order for the oven to be heated seven times hotter than it usually was.”
So what does this mean to you today? A few things.
1. The enemy will crank the heat up on you when you take a stand for God.
a) Once Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego took a stand for God King Nebuchadnezzar cranked up the heat on the furnace seven times hotter than usual.
b) When you face a bad situation in-faith, the enemy will attempt to make it worse, in hopes that you buckle under the pressure and cross over into fear.
2. Fear is the currency of the kingdom of darkness.
a) Just like we use faith to access God’s plans for our lives, fear can access satan’s plans.
b) Faith is the currency of the Kingdom of God. Fear is the currency of the kingdom of darkness.
c) Faith moves God. Fear moves satan.
d) Both faith and fear are rooted in confidence. Faith is based on confidence in God and what He will do. Fear is based on confidence in satan and what he will do.
e) Your decision to either operate in-faith or in-fear will be contingent upon whom you have more confidence in: God or satan.
3. Satan is a master at painting a bad picture.
a) Satan does his best to paint a bad picture upon the canvas of your mind, in hopes that you will cross over into fear, doubt and unbelief.
b) The fire was already burning; let’s call that level 1. Nebuchadnezzar had the fire cranked up to Level 8. For what? All fire needs to be to kill you is… FIRE. Level 1 fire will kill you just as quick as Level 8 fire. But the perception that the fire was worse is what the enemy was using to attempt to instill fear in the hearts of the Hebrew boys. Satan is a master of perception and deception. But if you keep your eyes on Jesus, you will not be deceived!
c) You can be a believer who loves God, but who lives a miserable life because you choose to operate in fear and not faith.
d) Don’t let satan cause you to cast away your confidence (faith) in God (Heb 10:35).
4. As a believer, you must not be moved by the threats of satan.
a) Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego did not buckle when the heat was cranked up on them and you must not buckle either!
b) The psalmist said, “Those who trust in the Lord are like Mount Zion. They will never be shaken. They will continue forever.” (Psalm 125:1). One thing we know about Mount Zion is that it is NOT going anywhere. That’s how believers are who trust in the Lord.
5. God has great things in store for you in this season — the season of the Greater Grace.
a) In this season of Great Grace, the enemy will use threats to attempt to move you from faith to fear so you miss out on God’s best.
b) Don’t confuse sovereignty and grace. Don’t call everything that happens “God’s will”. God has made His best available to you by grace, but He expects you to access His grace with your faith.
c) If you allow satan to scare you out of faith and into fear, you may miss out on God’s best for your life.
d) Just like He did with the Hebrew Boys, God can give you the grace to resist fear!
Closing Confession: Father, I thank You for teaching me about Your grace and my requirement to live by faith. You made plans for me before the world began, and You made those plans by grace. I did nothing to earn or deserve the great plans You have for me. Your blessing is freely made available to me by grace. Grace is Your part. Faith is my part. You require me to operate in faith to access Your grace. Faith is the currency of Your Kingdom. Faith is how I make an ‘exchange’ with the unseen world of heaven. Faith is how I live ‘heaven on earth’. Faith is based on my confidence in You and Your Word. However, fear works the same way. Fear is the currency of the kingdom of darkness. Fear is how people make an ‘exchange’ with the unseen world of hell. Fear is how people live ‘hell on earth’. Fear is based on confidence in satan and his words. You have given me the ability to operate in both faith and fear. However, Your grace is on me to resist fear, because You know fear will keep me from Your best. There are some believers who operate in fear and who will, because of it, miss out on Your best. I am NOT one of them. I am a believer and not a doubter. I operate in faith and not fear. Perfect love casts out all fear. Fear has no power over me. Your grace is on me to resist fear and I shall. I stand in faith, without a doubt, and I refuse to waiver. I am like Mount Zion and I shall not be moved. I declare this by faith. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
This is Today’s Word! Apply it and Prosper.
