Principles and Values
«Nebuchadnezzar spoke, saying, ‘Blessed be the God of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-Nego, who sent His Angel and delivered His servants who trusted in Him, and they have frustrated the king’s word, and yielded their bodies, that they should not serve nor worship any god except their own God».(Daniel 3:28)
Gabrielle personally told me (J) her story. She had experienced first-hand the tragedy of the genocide in Rwanda. She was a member of the persecuted minority, and in numerous occasions she came close to death. The most remarkable event was when she was at home one day and heard armed patrolmen who were searching for anyone to kill. Gabrielle knew that running was futile because they would immediately catch her; so she decided to hide despite the fact that the aggressors were very skilled in finding people who hid. She ended up in a small swamp that was close to her house, keeping only part of her face on the surface of the water in a thicket of bushes. She spent about twenty-four hours there, filled with fear but ceaselessly praying to God. Gabrielle would tremble in terror every time she heard noises or the assassins returning, but the Lord was with her during those terrible hours. Finally, she escaped and overcame the ordeal, though with great difficulty. She fully submitted herself to God after this traumatic experience.
Daniel and his friends were subject to various trials where death was a real threat, but they were victorious and their faith was strengthened as a result. One of these trials did not affect Daniel but his three friends. The young men refused to bow and worship the sixty cubits tall (30 m) golden statue that Nebuchadnezzar ordered to be built for his own glory and that of his kingdom. As a result, the king had them thrown in a fiery furnace that was so hot that it killed those who held the Jewish young men. Through God’s power, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego survived the punishment and were unharmed. This incredible miracle led Nebuchadnezzar to decree that all should worship the God of the Jews and no other gods.
God does not call us all to face terrible trials, as did Gabrielle and the Jewish young men, but one way or another we all face suffering. The good news is that God is more powerful than all our adversities put together, and He is true to His words when He says,
«I will never leave you nor forsake you» (Heb. 13:5).
#AdultsDevotional
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Taken from: Daily Devotions for Adults 2020
“A Cheerful Heart Is Good Medicine”
From: Julian Melgoza-Laura Fidanza
Colaboradores:Ricardo Vela & Alejandra Zavala
