Faith in Trials: God's Unfailing Love and Salvation

 

Summary

In our current sermon series, "Love Beyond Words," we are exploring the depths of God's love for us by examining His progressive revelation throughout Scripture. We began in Genesis, discussing how God, Elohim, created everything out of love, bringing order from chaos and filling the earth. We then moved to Joshua, where we encountered Rahab, an unexpected recipient of God's love who became part of Jesus' lineage. Last week, we detoured to Jonah, learning that God sent prophets to warn Israel and the world to trust and be faithful to Him.

Today, we focused on the Book of Daniel, particularly on the stories of Shadrach, Meshach, Abednego, and Daniel himself. These narratives highlight God's sovereignty, His control over all things, and His faithfulness to fulfill His promises. Despite Israel's rebellion and the resulting exile, God's love remained steadfast, demonstrated through His compassion and repeated warnings.

In Daniel 3, we see Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego's unwavering faith in the face of Nebuchadnezzar's golden statue. They refused to worship any god but Yahweh, even under the threat of a fiery furnace. Their faith was not contingent on deliverance; they trusted God regardless of the outcome. Miraculously, they emerged from the fire unharmed, a testament to God's absolute salvation.

Similarly, in Daniel 6, Daniel's faithfulness to God led him to the lions' den. Despite the decree from the king of Persia, Daniel continued to pray to Yahweh. God delivered Daniel, shutting the lions' mouths, and once again, a pagan king acknowledged the power of the Living God.

These stories are not just historical accounts; they are relevant to us today. We, too, face tribulations and are called to trust in God's sovereignty and find security in Him. As we approach communion, we are reminded of the ultimate demonstration of God's love: the sacrifice of Jesus Christ. We are to come to the Lord's table with repentant hearts, acknowledging the sacredness of this act and the security we have in God.

Key Takeaways:

- The unwavering faith of Shadrach, Meshach, Abednego, and Daniel serves as a powerful example for us. Their trust in God was not based on the certainty of deliverance from their trials but on the character and promises of God. This kind of faith challenges us to examine the depth of our trust in God's sovereignty, especially in the midst of our own fiery furnaces and lions' dens. [29:34]

- Salvation is not always about being saved from trials but often about being saved within them. The stories of Daniel and his friends illustrate that God's presence and deliverance can occur in the midst of our struggles, not necessarily removing us from them. This perspective encourages us to look for God's hand at work even when our circumstances do not change. [35:23]

- The absolute nature of God's salvation, as seen in the untouched garments of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, and the unharmed condition of Daniel, speaks to the completeness of God's deliverance. This should inspire confidence in the salvation we have through Christ, which is not partial or temporary but eternal and all-encompassing. [18:51]

- The discipline of Israel serves as a sobering reminder that God's love includes correction. The exile was a result of Israel's persistent rebellion despite God's compassionate warnings. This teaches us that God's love is not merely permissive but actively seeks our holiness and alignment with His will. [05:20]

- Communion is a profound expression of God's love beyond words. As we partake in the bread and cup, we are invited to reflect on the depth of God's love demonstrated through Christ's sacrifice. This sacrament calls us to a place of humility and gratitude, recognizing the cost of our redemption and the security we have in the love of the Father. [43:41]

Study Guide

### Bible Study Discussion Guide

#### Bible Reading
1. Daniel 3:12-30 - The story of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego in the fiery furnace.
2. Daniel 6:16-28 - The story of Daniel in the lions' den.
3. 2 Chronicles 36:14-16 - The context of Israel's exile and God's repeated warnings through His prophets.

#### Observation Questions
1. What was the response of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego when they were threatened with the fiery furnace? ([13:40])
2. How did King Nebuchadnezzar react when he saw four men in the furnace instead of three? ([16:29])
3. What decree did King Darius make after Daniel was saved from the lions' den? ([25:52])
4. According to 2 Chronicles 36:14-16, why did God allow Israel to be taken into exile? ([05:20])

#### Interpretation Questions
1. What does the unwavering faith of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego teach us about trusting God even when deliverance is uncertain? ([13:40])
2. How does the miraculous deliverance of Daniel from the lions' den demonstrate God's sovereignty and power? ([24:23])
3. In what ways does the discipline of Israel, as described in 2 Chronicles 36:14-16, reflect God's love and desire for His people's holiness? ([05:20])
4. How do the stories of Shadrach, Meshach, Abednego, and Daniel encourage us to remain faithful during our own trials and tribulations? ([32:27])

#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on a time when you faced a difficult situation. How did your faith in God influence your response? How can the example of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego inspire you to trust God more deeply in future trials? ([13:40])
2. Daniel continued to pray to God despite the king's decree. Are there areas in your life where you feel pressured to compromise your faith? How can you remain steadfast like Daniel? ([22:26])
3. The discipline of Israel was a result of their persistent rebellion. Are there areas in your life where you feel God is calling you to repentance and alignment with His will? How can you respond to His compassionate warnings? ([05:20])
4. The absolute nature of God's salvation is evident in the untouched garments of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, and the unharmed condition of Daniel. How does this assurance of God's complete deliverance impact your confidence in the salvation through Christ? ([18:51])
5. Communion is a profound expression of God's love beyond words. As you approach the Lord's table, how can you prepare your heart to fully appreciate the sacrifice of Jesus Christ? ([43:41])
6. The stories of Daniel and his friends illustrate that God's presence and deliverance can occur in the midst of our struggles. How can you look for God's hand at work in your current circumstances, even if they do not change? ([35:23])
7. How can you encourage others in your small group or community to trust in God's sovereignty and find security in Him, especially during challenging times? ([32:27])

Devotional

Day 1: Faith Unhinged from Outcomes
Faith is not a transactional agreement with God, guaranteeing a life free from hardship. Instead, it is a deep-rooted trust in God's character and promises, regardless of the circumstances. Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego exemplified this when they faced the fiery furnace. Their declaration that God could save them, but even if He did not, they would not serve other gods, reveals a profound level of faith. It is a faith that does not waver when deliverance is uncertain, a faith that understands God's sovereignty is not contingent upon our understanding or our comfort. This kind of faith challenges believers to trust in God's goodness and sovereignty, even when the heat of the furnace can be felt on our skin [29:34].

Daniel 3:17-18 ESV
"If this be so, our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the burning fiery furnace, and he will deliver us out of your hand, O king. But if not, be it known to you, O king, that we will not serve your gods or worship the golden image that you have set up."

Reflection: How can you cultivate a faith that trusts in God's character and promises, even when the outcome is not what you desire or expect?

Day 2: Presence in the Flames
Salvation is often misunderstood as a means of escape from trials, but the truth is that God's deliverance can also be experienced within the trials themselves. The story of Daniel and his friends teaches that God's presence is not absent in hardship; rather, He is most vividly present. They were not saved from the fire or the lions' den; they were saved within them. This understanding of salvation invites believers to seek God's presence and deliverance in the midst of their struggles, to recognize that God is working even when the situation seems unchanged [35:23].

2 Corinthians 1:4 ESV
"Who comforts us in all our affliction, so that we may be able to comfort those who are in any affliction, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God."

Reflection: In what current trial can you seek to recognize God's comforting presence rather than waiting for the trial to pass?

Day 3: The Completeness of God's Deliverance
The untouched garments of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, and the unharmed condition of Daniel, are powerful symbols of the absolute nature of God's salvation. It is a deliverance that leaves no trace of the flames or the threat of the lions. This completeness is a shadow of the salvation found in Christ—eternal, all-encompassing, and leaving no trace of sin's stain. Believers are called to live with confidence in this complete salvation, knowing that it is not a temporary fix but a permanent restoration [18:51].

Psalm 34:22 ESV
"The Lord redeems the life of his servants; none of those who take refuge in him will be condemned."

Reflection: How does understanding the completeness of God's salvation through Christ affect the way you face challenges and temptations?

Day 4: Love That Seeks Our Holiness
God's love is not a passive acceptance of our flaws but an active pursuit of our holiness. The discipline of Israel, including their exile, was a result of persistent rebellion despite God's compassionate warnings. This serves as a reminder that God's love is corrective, designed to bring us back into alignment with His will. It is a love that cares more for our ultimate good than our immediate comfort, a love that disciplines us for our growth and His glory [05:20].

Hebrews 12:10-11 ESV
"For they disciplined us for a short time as it seemed best to them, but he disciplines us for our good, that we may share his holiness. For the moment all discipline seems painful rather than pleasant, but later it yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it."

Reflection: What area of your life might God be disciplining you in right now, and how can you respond with a heart open to His correction?

Day 5: The Sacred Act of Communion
Communion is a profound expression of God's love, a love that goes beyond words and into the very act of sacrifice. As believers partake in the bread and cup, they are invited to reflect on the depth of God's love demonstrated through Christ's sacrifice. This sacrament is a call to humility and gratitude, recognizing the cost of redemption and the security found in the Father's love. It is a sacred act that should be approached with a repentant heart, acknowledging the gravity of what it represents [43:41].

1 Corinthians 11:26 ESV
"For as often as you eat this bread and drink the cup, you proclaim the Lord's death until he comes."

Reflection: As you prepare for communion, what specific aspects of Christ's sacrifice can you meditate on to deepen your appreciation for the love God has shown you?

Quotes

1) "Sometimes we go through very bad things in our lives so that our faith can be made stronger, so that we can become a living witness for others to observe, and sometimes we go through these things so that we can be made holy for the kingdom of God." [38:32] ( | | )

2) "Even in the midst of chaos, a devout Christian can find peace; in the midst of incredible sorrow, you can find joy; and in incredible misery, you can find hope." [39:24] ( | | )

3) "Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego replied to the king, 'O Nebuchadnezzar, we do not need to give you an answer concerning this matter. If it be so, our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the furnace of blazing fire; and He will deliver us out of your hand, O king. But even if He does not, let it be known to you, O king, that we are not going to serve your gods or worship the golden image that you have set up.'" [14:25] ( | | )

4) "Our salvation is absolute. What I mean by that, when we are saved by Jesus Christ today, it's absolute. We will enter into eternity forgiven, and we will live in perfection for all time. But the God of the Old Testament does the same thing; His salvation is absolute." [18:51] ( | | )

5) "God is in control. That was demonstrated very clearly when we talked about being created out of love. God created everything... God is in control. I want you to hear that, and I want you to believe in it because God will do what he promises." [29:34] ( | | )

6) "Daniel brings this message to us also to bring encouragement to us to remain faithful to Yahweh, especially in times of tribulation... The Book of Daniel should encourage Israel to repent and believe despite where they are at." [32:27] ( | | )

7) "When we take communion, communion is a demonstration of how God loves us beyond words because the father sent the son to die for our sins. As we approach Good Friday, we're going to understand what this cross means." [43:41] ( | | )

8) "The Lord, the God of their fathers, sent word to them again and again by His messengers because He had compassion on His people and on His dwelling place; but they continually mocked the messengers of God, despised His words, and scoffed at His prophets until the wrath of the Lord arose against His people, until there was no remedy." [05:20] ( | | )

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Transcript
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