Daniel 11:32b KJV

…But the people that do know their God shall be strong, and do exploits

There is a saying that knowledge is power. It is also further stated by a wise man that “correct application of knowledge is wisdom”. Whichever way we look at it, the very first step to getting power or becoming wiser is to gain knowledge.

The Lord says in Isaiah 5:13, “Therefore my people are gone into captivity, because they have no knowledge; and their honourable men are famished, and their multitude dried up with thirst”. Also, in the book of Matthew 16:5–11, Jesus was taken aback by the disciples because they were not catching up as expected concerning understanding him.

The Apostle Paul says in Philippians 3:10, “That I may know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, being made conformable unto his death.“ The knowledge of God is a project on its own. The greatest investment on earth is the one invested in knowing God. The reason is that when you know God and He knows you, you will have direct access to deep secrets.

There is nothing of relevance in life that doesn’t have a secret as to how to achieve it, and your investment in knowing God will open you up to revelations that will give you better ideas on what to study to stay on top of your game.

Nobody is born with knowledge; you have to acquire it. There are many professors today who are good Christians but don’t know much about the Bible. They have read hundreds of books and written a number of theses, but they haven’t read the Bible from cover to cover or have a good understanding of the scriptures.

Let us step up from being ordinary Christians into becoming real Christians that understand the scriptures and know the God of the Bible. Your exploits are directly proportional to how much of God you know, and if you want to maximize your experience as a child of God, you must seek God and develop great passion towards knowing Him intimately.

You must make your experience of God a daily affair, and Satan will always be under your feet.

It is when you know God (which will come at a cost: determination, discipline, taking necessary actions, studying the Bible, etc.) that you can do exploits.

How can we know God?

Just as everyone called an engineer today did not become an engineer through wishful thinking, you must also pay the price by studying and meditating on God’s word regularly and also developing a consistent, fervent prayer life. Your prayer must not just be about the things you want but also about knowing the mind of God about situations around you and about others.

2 Kings 1:2–4 English Standard Version

2 Now Ahaziah fell through the lattice in his upper chamber in Samaria, and lay sick; so he sent messengers, telling them, “Go, inquire of Baal-zebub, the god of Ekron, whether I shall recover from this sickness.” 3 But the angel of the Lord said to Elijah the Tishbite, “Arise, go up to meet the messengers of the king of Samaria, and say to them, ‘Is it because there is no God in Israel that you are going to inquire of Baal-zebub, the god of Ekron? 4 Now therefore thus says the Lord, You shall not come down from the bed to which you have gone up, but you shall surely die.’ ” So Elijah went.

Your first point of call anytime you are in a challenging situation defines where your hopes lie. Are you always quick to run to men whenever you have problems? It is true that God will always use men to solve most of our needs, but He is the one who should be allowed to determine who will meet those needs. The Bible says in Psalm 146:3, “Put not your trust in princes, nor in the son of man, in whom there is no help,” and this is the reason why many end up committing suicide when those they put their trust in fail them.

In the above scripture, King Ahaziah sent his servants to inquire from an idol called Baal-zebub, the god of Ekron, whether or not he would recover from his injury. He left the whole nation of Israel for another territory to find “god”, whereas the Almighty God was there in Israel. Why do you think he made that decision? It’s simply not because the God of Israel was powerless, but because he had no relationship with the true God. The reason why many Christians wander about today, seeking help where there’s none (from fake pastors and strange powers), is not because God’s power has no effect but because they have lost their connection with the only wise God, the Almighty God. They have built another altar in their hearts and have thereby embraced and enthroned other idols as gods in their subconscious minds. Read Matthew 19:16–30.

You don’t really have to be aware that you have put your confidence and hope in another god (be it a spirit being, a human being, or a material thing) before you start noticing that God has ceased honoring your prayers and place of worship. God is a jealous God, and He doesn’t want you to have another god besides Him, so once your heart moves away from God and finds solace in a man, material things, or Satan, He will also withdraw from you.

Some “once upon a time” good pastors are now fake pastors because they have abandoned their secret place with God and have now put their trust in other strange powers.

It is time to return to God today by searching your heart to know where your hope lies and whom you pledge your allegiance to (2 Corinthians 13:5). Once you repent and run back to God with a pure heart, He will restore your peace and your relationship with Him, and your life will become more meaningful to you again.

2 Chronicles 7:14 NIV

if my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sin and will heal their land.

Daniel 9:2 KJV

In the first year of his reign I Daniel understood by books the number of the years, whereof the word of the LORD came to Jeremiah the prophet, that he would accomplish seventy years in the desolations of Jerusalem.

There are three words that almost all Christians are familiar with, but very few pay attention to them and only a few practice them. These words are Reading, praying, and Thinking. These words sound so simple and easy to pronounce, but it takes determination, discipline, and dedication to get them done.

Daniel just gave us an insight into one of the reasons he stood out in his day and one of the secrets to his wisdom and high level of understanding: He reads a lot.

It was from the books that he understood the number of years for which it had been prophesied that Jerusalem would be in desolation for seventy years. When he discovered that the seventy years were getting closer, he began interceding on behalf of his nation. The reason we sometimes stay too long in unpleasant situations is because we have not yet activated our reading mode.

I have heard it over and over that readers are leaders, and the Bible also confirms that God places a high premium on knowledge. The following verses serve as proof for this:

Joshua 1:8 KJV

This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth; but thou shalt meditate therein day and night, that thou mayest observe to do according to all that is written therein: for then thou shalt make thy way prosperous, and then thou shalt have good success.

Hosea 4:6 KJV

My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge: because thou hast rejected knowledge, I will also reject thee, that thou shalt be no priest to me: seeing thou hast forgotten the law of thy God, I will also forget thy children.

Isaiah 5:13 NKJV

Therefore my people have gone into captivity, Because they have no knowledge; Their honorable men are famished, And their multitude dried up with thirst.

2 Timothy 2:15 KJVAE

Study to show thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.

What really is the essence of education (whether formal or informal)? I believe it’s to acquire knowledge and gain skills that will set you apart from the crowd. In the same way, there are so many things we will never understand about God if we are not ardent readers and doers of His word.

The book of Daniel 11:32b mentions that those who know God will be strong and do exploits. The first thing knowledge will give you is strength, and that’s why we often say that knowledge is power.

The second thing knowledge will do for you through the power you have received is that you will have the capacity to achieve great things (Daniel 11:32b). Therefore, if we are not reading, we will lack knowledge or have insufficient knowledge, and without good knowledge of a thing, you are far away from doing exploits.

An increase in wisdom is a product of acquired knowledge. How much of the Bible do you know as a Christian? How often do you spend time studying the Bible and other inspirational books?

David the King, in the book of Psalm 1:2, admonishes that the scripture should be studied day and night. He also tells us the level of exploit that we will be exposed to if we do it. Psalm 1:3 says anyone who studies the word of God day and night shall be like a tree planted by rivers of water, and whatever he or she does shall prosper.

Psalms 1:3 NKJV

He shall be like a tree Planted by the rivers of water, That brings forth its fruit in its season, Whose leaf also shall not wither; And whatever he does shall prosper.

In Joshua 1:8, God revealed a secret: Whoever will engage in the study of God’s word day and night shall make his way prosperous and have good success. If we believe that God does not tell lies, then why are we not doing it (studying the word) daily?

Joshua 1:8 NKJV

This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate in it day and night, that you may observe to do according to all that is written in it. For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success.

Why do we allow distractions to steal from us what has already been written and documented concerning us? When you don’t know what has been written concerning you (about a particular matter), you will not know your rights as a child of God (even though you are born again), and you will lack the capacity to lead others to God’s kingdom because you will not be able to share God’s word correctly. 1 Corinthians 3:1-3; Hebrews 5:12; 2 Timothy 2:15.

Let’s be people driven by knowledge by consciously acquiring it every day. We should not allow a day or a week to pass us by without paying the price of reading edifying books (that can draw us closer to God) and the Bible. I pray that the grace to be able to achieve your goals of engaging God’s word daily will be released to you in Jesus name.

If you gain anything from today’s discussion, kindly share it through the comment section or send a mail to gsany03@gmail.com.

Daniel 8:27 NKJV

And I, Daniel, fainted and was sick for days; afterward I arose and went about the king’s business. I was astonished by the vision, but no one understood it.

In the above scripture, Daniel just recovered from a sickness that came upon him due to how frightened he was after his night vision. The vision was beyond his understanding, and it was somehow scary. However, as soon as he recovered from the sickness, he resumed the king’s business, not considering the fact that he needed more rest.

God is our king, and he has given us life in order to accomplish a purpose. It is very sad, however, that many have abandoned the king’s business for their personal businesses.

The king’s business (God’s business) is anything that God has endowed you with in order to advance kingdom service. Singing praises to God, the composition of spiritual songs, the writing of Christian tracts, the writing of books, intercession, preaching God’s word, evangelism, etc. are some of the king’s businesses. We have abandoned what is crucial to God while we are encumbered with what can only serve our flesh: what can provide us with money, food, and so on. We have forgotten that Jesus did not ask us not to do our own business; he only asked us to seek the kingdom of God first. It means that in whatever we are doing, we must be doing it as if unto God, and it must not in any way be our excuse for not studying our Bible or keeping good fellowship with God.

When you go about your business or go to your offices every day and you find it difficult to study God’s word, to compose that song, to write those tracts, to reach out to sinners through your blogs or podcasts, to stand in the gap for the lost in the place of prayer, etc., you should know that you have abandoned the king’s business.

There is no one who works for the king who does not reap a good reward, especially when the king is your father. There are so many worldly songs that we have changed their lyrics and brought into the church, not because spiritual songs are no longer available to ‘download from heaven, but because the set of people that are qualified (the children of God) to download these songs are too busy with personal business or, in many cases, are being attracted by the same thing the unbeliever is seeking daily.

Let us return to Jesus, cast our cares upon him, believe he is able to supply all our needs according to his riches in glory, serve him fervently, and make use of the talents and gitfs (the business) he has given to us. When we do all these things, we will discover that all the things we have been stressing ourselves to possess will come to us without stress.

Romans 12:11 KJV

Not slothful in business; fervent in spirit; serving the Lord

Daniel 7:21-22 King James Version (KJV)

I beheld, and the same horn made war with the saints, and prevailed against them; until the Ancient of days came, and judgment was given to the saints of the most High; and the time came that the saints possessed the kingdom.

Daniel 7:26-27 NKJV

‘But the court shall be seated, And they shall take away his dominion, To consume and destroy it forever. Then the kingdom and dominion, And the greatness of the kingdoms under the whole heaven, Shall be given to the people, the saints of the Most High. His kingdom is an everlasting kingdom, And all dominions shall serve and obey Him.’

Have you heard about the Supreme Court of England before? It is the highest court of appeal for all civil and criminal cases. Also, there’s a court system in heaven where decisions are made concerning the affairs of men.

Adam, the first man, was given dominion over the affairs of the earth, but Satan, through his deceit strategy, took away the dominion mandate from man when Adam and Eve sinned against God, and since then he has been the one controlling the affairs of the world. However, through the Lord Jesus Christ, man was restored to God and has been given power over the devil and his cohorts as long as he remains in God and knows his right as the redeemed.

In today’s Bible references, Daniel had a vision where he saw mysteries that were very difficult to understand. One breathtaking point in that vision is when the horn was making war with the saints and was prevailing against them until the Ancient of Days intervened and a judgment was made in favor of the saints of the Most High. It means there was a court sitting in heaven where a decision was reached over the matter.

The Bible refers to Satan as the accuser of brethren in Revelation 12:10, and also in the book of 1 John 2:1, Jesus Christ is referred to as our advocate. In other words, there’s a court in heaven where Satan always takes cases or matters concerning believers in order to gain access to their lives or afflict them if their way is not through before God.

In the book of Luke 22:31, Jesus told Peter that Satan had requested him, but he (Jesus) had prayed for him. It means that Peter had been reported to the court of heaven, and Satan had asked for permission to sift him as wheat, but the Lord Jesus had stood for him. There’s a court watching you, and once a decision is made against you, the execution might come very fast.

Also, there’s a court we should report matters to, and if the case is considered to have been adjourned because the blood of Jesus is still speaking mercy for the persecutor but he or she has refused to repent, continue to ask God to intervene in your matter.

Besides the fact that heaven is watching, Satan is familiar with the court system of heaven and will not hesitate to report you for every little mistake, and that’s why you must not play with the place of personal devotion (your quiet time), so that the Holy Spirit can reveal your life to you and make you repent of any unknown sin and return to God.

It is important for us to take three things into consideration about this court of heaven:

First, your way of life, desires, response to things of God, pursuit, etc., are being watched daily by the heavens, and a court can meet over your case without your permission, and the outcome may either be positive or negative based on its assessment. Therefore, it is important for you to live your life to please God.

Second, since people usually use the court as the last resort to resolve critical issues or conflicts, I think it’s necessary that we consciously take some matters to the court of heaven for justice. In order to get these results, you have to engage the heavens with consecrated prayers and be consistent with them. While your prayer should not just be about taking your troublemaker to the court of heaven, you must also develop the habit of praying always as a means of communication with God. Luke 18:1-8

Thirdly, no matter the corruption and injustice in your country or in the world, you should be rest assured that there is a court of heaven that can dethrone a government and raise another one without calling for resolution. The book of Daniel 5 is a good example.

Knowing that there’s a court of heaven that rules over the affairs of men and whose judgment or decision overrides the final judgment of the apex court of this world (as well as the policy of the most powerful country on earth) should be a comfort to us that he who has said a thing concerning us will surely bring it to pass no matter the situation, if we faint not..

Isaiah 43:18-19 NIV

“Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past. See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland.

The value to be placed on any word spoken or promise made to you is not really about what was said, but who said it? God said, “Forget the formal things; do not dwell on the past.” It means that it is your own responsibility to forget about the past, no matter how challenging it may be. God said He would do a new thing, and you will soon begin to experience it. He will make a way in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland. You have to believe what God is saying today and act upon every instruction He will give you, and New things will be activated immediately.

In this month of August, God will do a new thing in your life and make all things beautiful again. He will do what men considered impossible and give you a new name in Jesus name. Amen. Happy new month!

Daniel 6:7 NKJV

All the governors of the kingdom, the administrators and satraps, the counselors and advisors, have consulted together to establish a royal statute and to make a firm decree, that whoever petitions any god or man for thirty days, except you, O king, shall be cast into the den of lions.

A royal statute, according to the above Bible passage, is an executive order, a sovereign law. It is a decree that is binding on all, as long as you live in that state, province, or kingdom.

If you look at the story critically from Daniel 6:1, you will discover that, although they proposed the law in order to find fault against Daniel, it was actually an executive order against God because the only thing that was left as an alternative to Daniel was to stop praying to God or stop serving God. The enemies knew that it would be impossible for Daniel to stop serving his God for a whole thirty days, so they manipulated the king to sign the bill into law.

Have you noticed that there are so many royal statutes in our world today? Many great nations now have laws that are anti-God. Examples are abortion rights, LGBT rights (Genesis 13:13; 19:1-11; Leviticus 18:22; 20;13,15-16) and so on. All these newly established rights are just like the “royal statute” that the enemies set for Daniel, not just to find fault with him but also to stop him from serving his God freely.

Any government’s or company’s policy that stands against Christian values is a royal statute we are talking about. Unfortunately, many Christians have been partially separated from God through these laws. While many (especially in developed countries) are seriously doubting the existence of God or His relevance in today’s world, some have also embraced these new-age movement activities as norms. They now see the Bible as an archaic book because it stood against so many activities that the world is legalizing today.

Presently, some powerful personalities are looking for ways to write another edition of the Bible that will reflect the present world in terms of what is acceptable and what is not.

The question we should ask ourselves today is, What is my position as regards these royal statutes? What is your position about LGBT rights and others? Do you believe what was written in the Bible concerning those activities or what the New Age movement is writing or saying about them today? Your position will determine whether you have already surrendered to these “royal statutes” or are still standing on biblical principles.

God has a standard that doesn’t adjust itself to the lustful desires of men (1 Timothy 2:19). He has always been desirous of having a man (like Noah, Abraham, Joseph, Moses, Paul, etc.) who will serve him wholeheartedly. He is still reaching out to you and me today, saying that we should forsake wordly friendship (James 4:4), that is, activities the Bible regarded as unholy, and embrace him by becoming a living sacrifice for Him (Romans 12:1-2).

What will be your answer to him today, and whose side are you on?

Joshua 24:15 — The New International Version (NIV)

But if serving the Lord seems undesirable to you, then choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve, whether the gods your ancestors served beyond the Euphrates, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land you are living. But as for me and my household, we will serve the Lord.”

You can also read the next chapter of the book of Daniel, Daniel 7, and come up with a topic we can discuss from the chapter.

Daniel 5:22-23 The Message (MSG)

“You are his son and have known all this, yet you’re as arrogant as he ever was. Look at you, setting yourself up in competition against the Master of heaven! You had the sacred chalices from his Temple brought into your drunken party so that you and your nobles, your wives and your concubines, could drink from them. You used the sacred chalices to toast your gods of silver and gold, bronze and iron, wood and stone—blind, deaf, and imbecile gods. But you treat with contempt the living God who holds your entire life from birth to death in his hand.

There are some terrible activities that we see or hear almost every day, either from the news media or on social media platforms; these activities all boil down to the fact that people no longer honor God or the things of God like they used to.

This present generation is full of people that don’t belong anywhere; some may claim to be Christians, but when you see the manner in which they criticize ministers of God on social media (without any respect for their old age), you will wonder if their motive was to discourage those who are willing to serve God or to make others feel that Christianity does not have any standard again. The painful part is that of the supposed “men of God” that will come on social media, not in order to preach the gospel of salvation (which is the bedrock of Christianity) but to criticize other men of God (especially the popular ones) with unverified information. This is why many young people never honor God again.

King Belshazzar, the grandson of Nebuchadnezzar (Jeremiah 27:6-7), was alive when his grandfather’s heart was turned to that of a beast (Daniel 5:18–22) and was restored back to the throne, yet he failed to honour the God of Israel. He organized a feast for his lords, wives, and concubines and ordered his servants to bring out some sanctified vessels (that Nebuchadnezzar carried away from Jerusalem) to drink wine. Even Nebuchadnezzar had never, for any reason, used any of the vessels for such purposes; he only kept them somewhere as treasures from Jerusalem.

Belshazzar not only dishonoured the God of Israel by using those sanctified vessels for drinking, but he (together with his guests) also gave honour and praise to their many gods: gods of wood, stone, gold, etc. Suddenly, a hand appeared and wrote something on the wall, which all the wise men couldn’t read or interpret except for Daniel. God had placed Belshazzar’s reign on a scale and found it wanting. He had not learned any lessons from his father. He died that same night.

Dishonoring God can come in different forms: If you are always punctual to your place of work five times a week but always get to your church service late on Sundays, it’s a sign that you don’t hold God in high esteem yet. If you find pleasure in criticizing ministers of God for every little thing (publicly) or you love to chat with friends during church service and pay no attention to God’s word, you are not honouring God.

I have discovered that one of the key reasons why people knowingly or unknowingly dishonour God is because they are trying to please men. From the story of Balaam, when he still went ahead to see King Balak despite the fact that he knew God was against the idea (Numbers 22:9–12, 22–24), to the story of King Saul, when he offered sacrifices unto God instead of waiting for Prophet Samuel (1 Samuel 13:6–14), to the story of King Herod, when he ordered that the head of John the Baptist should be given to Herodias (Matthew 14:1–9), you will discover that all these men committed grave errors because they wanted to please men. They wanted to prove to people that they were in charge because they were too occupied with “what will people say”.

The reason a married Christian young lady will fall to the temptation of sleeping with her boss in the office or with a fake pastor could be trying to please the man against honouring God with her body (which is the temple of God, 1 Corinthians 6:18–20).

There are so many situations that have brought many down in their spiritual lives and Christian journeys because they have chosen to honour men while unconsciously dishouring God. Most lies that people tell, which usually lead to other lies (when they are trying to cover them up), are deeply rooted in trying to please men or prove a point as opposed to pleasing God.

If God decides to place you on a scale today, are you very sure your result will not be like that of Belshazzar? “You have been weighed in the balance and found wanting” (Daniel 5:26–28). Turn back to Christ today and prioritize honouring Him over “being at peace with men” or looking for favour from men. Any favour or benefit that you receive from men that will dishonour God in your life should be rejected without any consideration because God will always honour whoever honours Him.

If you have learned one or two lessons, share your thoughts in the comment section below. You can also read the next chapter of the book of Daniel (Daniel 6), as we deduce another topic from the lessons learned.

Daniel 4:25 NKJV

They shall drive you from men, your dwelling shall be with the beasts of the field, and they shall make you eat grass like oxen. They shall wet you with the dew of heaven, and seven times shall pass over you, till you know that the Most High rules in the kingdom of men, and gives it to whomever He chooses.

Inside every man is a desire to want to be God. This desire is so silent that you may not discover it on time, but it will always reflect in your thoughts and attitudes.

Whatever achievement you have that makes you feel very important to the extent that you ascribe the glory to yourself already places you side by side with God. This mindset will make you very proud and, in most cases, arrogant. You will always want people to bow to you for everything you have done or want to do for them. When you lead a team to achieve something great, you will always be quick to think that you are the reason for the success.

King Nebuchadnezzar was a very powerful king, according to Daniel chapter 4:20-22, but he had forgotten that there was another King who could dethrone him without any consultation. I am referring to the King of Kings, the Most High God.

Nebuchadnezzar thought in his heart that there was no one as great as he was. He thought all the great transformations, reconstructions, and so on that Babylon had experienced were because of him. What happened next? God sent him to the school of “Humilitycology” (if there is anything like that), where he studied how humility works. His heart was changed into that of an animal, and he was sent to the forest as a beast. He lived with animals and ate grass and everything animals eat on the ground, including spoilt fruits.

Matthew 23:12 KJV

And whosoever shall exalt himself shall be abased; and he that shall humble himself shall be exalted.

After seven years of hard training (in the University of the Jungle), God replaced Nebuchadnezzar’s heart of a beast with that of a man and restored his glory and throne to him. Who else has the power to relegate a powerful king into becoming an animal, keep him away from humans for seven years, and still be able to restore his throne back to him if not “The Most High God,” who rules in the affairs of men?

Never allow what you have to make you think you don’t need God. Don’t allow your position to make you treat others as slaves or as if they were nothing. Don’t allow your challenges to make you feel that hope is totally lost. Always remember that The Most High (who raises the poor out of the dust and the needy out of the dunghill and elevates them to the palace) rules.

Daniel 4:17 King James Version (KJV)

This matter is by the decree of the watchers, and the demand by the word of the holy ones: to the intent that the living may know that the most High ruleth in the kingdom of men, and giveth it to whomsoever he will, and setteth up over it the basest of men.

Psalm 113:4-9 KJV

The LORD is high above all nations, And his glory above the heavens. Who is like unto the LORD our God, who dwelleth on high, Who humbleth himself to behold the things that are in heaven, and in the earth! He raiseth up the poor out of the dust, And lifteth the needy out of the dunghill; That he may set him with princes, Even with the princes of his people. He maketh the barren woman to keep house, And to be a joyful mother of children. Praise ye the LORD

You can share your challenges with us at gsany03@gmail.com if you want us to pray along with you or at @regenerated.

Daniel 3:4-6 NIV

Then the herald loudly proclaimed, “Nations and peoples of every language, this is what you are commanded to do: As soon as you hear the sound of the horn, flute, zither, lyre, harp, pipe and all kinds of music, you must fall down and worship the image of gold that King Nebuchadnezzar has set up. Whoever does not fall down and worship will immediately be thrown into a blazing furnace.”

The world is full of challenges, and it’s almost impossible not to face challenges in one’s life at some point or another. Some challenges are just like a burning furnace, and if care is not taken, they can consume the person experiencing them.

In the above text, the furnace of fire was the penalty imposed on anyone who disobeyed the king’s instruction, and it is not avoidable. However, what will determine if you will be consumed by that fire or that challenge is whether you have insurance over your life or not. In this case, the insurance is the promises of God for those who fear him and are in a good relationship with him.

Isaiah 43:1-2 NIV

But now, this is what the LORD says— he who created you, Jacob, he who formed you, Israel: “Do not fear, for I have redeemed you; I have summoned you by name; you are mine. When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned; the flames will not set you ablaze.

Psalm 34:7 KJV

The angel of the LORD encampeth round about them that fear him, And delivereth them.

That God is with you or that you are in a good relationship with God (in most cases) does not stop you from going through the fire, but the fire will not consume you as in the case of Shadrack, Meshack, and Abed-Nego. These men were cast into the fiery furnace with so much anger from the king, thinking they would serve as scape goats to others, but instead of them being consumed by the fire, they were just having “a chat’ in the fire, not because they put on a “fireproof jacket” or they are superhuman beings, but because God was there with them in the fire.

The first thing the devil will do to you when you are passing through serious challenges is to make you hate God or make you stop believing in God. The second thing he will do is separate you from your brethren (your God’s family). You will stop going to church and withdraw from everyone to face life’s challenges alone.

The three Hebrews became a wonder and a testimony to their world just because God was with them in the fire. We must also realize that God wouldn’t have been there in the fire if they had not chosen God above worldly pleasure and fame.

When you are faced with a very challenging situation that is contending with your faith in God, will you still be able to stand on the Lord’s side, or will you silently deny him? If you stand with God, He will protect you from the fire, but if you deny him because of money, friends, or for whatever reason, you will also not find him in that fire with you because he is not used to fellowshipping with you.

Stay with God no matter what the situation may be, and you will surely come out of it victorious and a better person.