Trust in God During Your Times of Trouble and Fear (Video + Notes)

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 Teacher: Brother Lucius
 Church: The HouseHold of Faith 

The Bible is very clear that there will be trials and tribulations of all sorts. Whether it is financial problems, health issues with you or your loved ones, problems at your job, or conflict with your spouse, life is going to get us down at times, but it is our belief in God and faith in his word that will allow us to overcome Life’s many struggles.

Faith in Jesus will will lead to a peace of mind in all situations, if we know that the Lord will resurrect us, then nothing in this world will stop us from being victorious. We serve the true and living God that can deliver us from all our problems. He did not promise us a life full of prosperity, as life is a trial and therefore we need to remain steadfast in the faith of God no matter what.

The promise we are looking forward to is not that everything will be smooth in this life, but that we will get eternal life if we obey the Lord. We can take all of our cares and concerns unto the Lord. We need to understand, that faith has nothing to do with the favorable outcome or the receiving of our desire but rather accepting the Lord’s will in our lives no matter what that may be.

Whatever God says, it MUST come to pass. Our faith should not be in man or in governments, it should be in the true and living God:

Numbers 23

King James Version (KJV)

19 God is not a man, that he should lie; neither the son of man, that he should repent: hath he said, and shall he not do it? or hath he spoken, and shall he not make it good?

 

Even in the conception of life, there is trouble and pain. The result of disobedience is that the majority of mankind will have a hard life and then they will die.  This debunks the prosperity doctrine:

Genesis 3

King James Version (KJV)

16 Unto the woman he said, I will greatly multiply thy sorrow and thy conception; in sorrow thou shalt bring forth children; and thy desire shall be to thy husband, and he shall rule over thee.

17 And unto Adam he said, Because thou hast hearkened unto the voice of thy wife, and hast eaten of the tree, of which I commanded thee, saying, Thou shalt not eat of it: cursed is the ground for thy sake; in sorrow shalt thou eat of it all the days of thy life;

18 Thorns also and thistles shall it bring forth to thee; and thou shalt eat the herb of the field;

19 In the sweat of thy face shalt thou eat bread, till thou return unto the ground; for out of it wast thou taken: for dust thou art, and unto dust shalt thou return.

 

Life is a struggle from the beginning:

Job 14

King James Version (KJV)

1 Man that is born of a woman is of few days and full of trouble.

2 He cometh forth like a flower, and is cut down: he fleeth also as a shadow, and continueth not.

 

The Lord’s Word (SWORD) was sent to cause division on the earth. It will set you at odds with the world. As a servant of God we will be contrary to the world. Especially with our own household.

We have to endure strife, hardship, rejection, tribulation, and pain until the END of our life or unto the end of the world, when Jesus returns. We cannot allow our adversity to cause us to backslide:

Matthew 10

King James Version (KJV)

34 Think not that I am come to send peace on earth: I came not to send peace, but a sword.

36 And a man’s foes shall be they of his own household.

22 And ye shall be hated of all men for my name’s sake: but he that ENDURETH TO THE END SHALL BE SAVED.

 

It is our FAITH that allows us to overcome. The Lord did not pray that we would not experience trials in this life, because he knows we are going to face trials. Rather he prayed that our faith does not fail because it is our faith that will strengthen us to overcome our trials:

Luke 22

King James Version (KJV)

31 And the Lord said, Simon, Simon, behold, Satan hath desired to have you, that he may sift you as wheat:

32 But I have prayed for thee, that thy faith fail not: and when thou art converted, strengthen thy brethren.

 

As a servant of God we will have times of trouble, but we have to trust God in all circumstances because no matter what we are confronted with, ultimately we can overcome death. We have to be steadfast in our faith and not fear man or anything because ultimately, God will grant the saints everlasting life so there is nothing you should fear.

It is not always easy to face our challenges but we must know that we are not the only ones suffering and understand that God can deliver us:

Psalm 56

King James Version (KJV)

3 What time I am afraid, I will trust in thee.

4 In God I will praise his word, in God I have put my trust; I will not fear what flesh can do unto me.

 

We can’t just have knowledge, wisdom, and understanding but we need to have faith in what we read.

If you understand God’s word, you will have hope in eternal life. Faith in God’s word will comfort you in your times of trouble and fear. We have to have the wisdom to do what is right even in unfavorable circumstances because that is a testament to our faith in God’s word and the only we will be granted eternal life:

Psalm 119

King James Version (KJV)

49 Remember the word unto thy servant, upon which thou hast caused me to hope.

50 This is my comfort in my affliction: for thy word hath quickened me.

51 The proud have had me greatly in derision: yet have I not declined from thy law.

 

Jesus had hope (not in a wish) but assurance that the Lord would raise him from the dead and that is exactly what the Lord did:

Psalm 16

King James Version (KJV)

1 Preserve me, O God: for in thee do I put my trust.

8 I have set the Lord always before me: because he is at my right hand, I shall not be moved.

9 Therefore my heart is glad, and my glory rejoiceth: my flesh also shall rest in hope.

10 For thou wilt not leave my soul in hell; neither wilt thou suffer thine Holy One to see corruption.

11 Thou wilt shew me the path of life: in thy presence is fulness of joy; at thy right hand there are pleasures for evermore.

 

We must be receptive to the Lord’s word and not reject his voice. No one is saved now. We must overcome this world’s trials and tribulations by remaining steadfast in the faith and obeying God. God has promised us, if we overcome that we will reign with God as immortals (Jesus’s life, death, and resurrection was our example):

Revelation 3

King James Version (KJV)

20 Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me.

21 To him that overcometh will I grant to sit with me in my throne, even as I also overcame, and am set down with my Father in his throne.

 

We are hoping (as an assurance to God’s promises) to get into God’s everlasting kingdom. Hebrews 11 show us that Faith did not start in the New Testament. All the Godly patriarchs had great faith and they also had hardships/ trails, and so will we:

Hebrews 11

King James Version (KJV)

1 Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.

2 For by it the elders obtained a good report.

3 Through faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the word of God, so that things which are seen were not made of things which do appear.

6 But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.

(People say that the O.T. characters did not know about the promises of everlasting life and resurrection, but all of God’s servants knew:)

17 By faith Abraham, when he was tried, offered up Isaac: and he that had received the promises offered up his only begotten son,

18 Of whom it was said, That in Isaac shall thy seed be called:

19 Accounting that God was able to raise him up, even from the dead; from whence also he received him in a figure.

32 And what shall I more say? for the time would fail me to tell of Gedeon, and of Barak, and of Samson, and of Jephthae; of David also, and Samuel, and of the prophets:

33 Who through faith subdued kingdoms, wrought righteousness, obtained promises, stopped the mouths of lions.

34 Quenched the violence of fire, escaped the edge of the sword, out of weakness were made strong, waxed valiant in fight, turned to flight the armies of the aliens.

35 Women received their dead raised to life again: and others were tortured, not accepting deliverance; that they might obtain a better resurrection:

36 And others had trial of cruel mockings and scourgings, yea, moreover of bonds and imprisonment:

37 They were stoned, they were sawn asunder, were tempted, were slain with the sword: they wandered about in sheepskins and goatskins; being destitute, afflicted, tormented;

38 (Of whom the world was not worthy:) they wandered in deserts, and in mountains, and in dens and caves of the earth.

39 And these all, having obtained a good report through faith, received not the promise:

40 God having provided some better thing for us, that they without us should not be made perfect.

 

Whatever we go through in this life, it will pass. There are some old school saying regarding sorrow – “This to shall pass” and “All things in life are temporal, even trouble itself”.

It may seem insurmountable when it first enters in your life, but if we endure, we will overcome. Even if our trial ends in death, we will be raised from the dead.

Thus our job is to keep the faith and endure until the end because ultimately we will have joy, victory, and life everlasting:

 

 

Psalm 30

King James Version (KJV)

1 I will extol thee, O Lord; for thou hast lifted me up, and hast not made my foes to rejoice over me.

2 O Lord my God, I cried unto thee, and thou hast healed me.

3 O Lord, thou hast brought up my soul from the grave: thou hast kept me alive, that I should not go down to the pit.

4 Sing unto the Lord, O ye saints of his, and give thanks at the remembrance of his holiness.

5 For his anger endureth but a moment; in his favour is life: weeping may endure for a night, but joy cometh in the morning.

When we are faced with life’s challenges we must not trust in man (even ourselves) or his institutions. Rather, we must trust in the eternal creator who has all power:

Psalm 146

King James Version (KJV)

3 Put not your trust in princes, nor in the son of man, in whom there is no help.

4 His breath goeth forth, he returneth to his earth; in that very day his thoughts perish.

5 Happy is he that hath the God of Jacob for his help, whose hope is in the Lord his God:

6 Which made heaven, and earth, the sea, and all that therein is: which keepeth truth for ever:

7 Which executeth judgment for the oppressed: which giveth food to the hungry. The Lord looseth the prisoners:

8 The Lord openeth the eyes of the blind: the Lord raiseth them that are bowed down: the Lord loveth the righteous:

Trust in God – at ALL TIMES.

Be PATIENT!

We are to take all our troubles to God. He is our shelter in the storm. We are to never put our stock in worldly devices because they cannot give us eternal life.

Money can give us a life that many dream of but few obtain. Money is a defense in this world, but ultimately it will come to pass and will not stop death. Therefore, trust in God because he will judge all of  our works, and is able to deliver us from all things:

Psalm 62

King James Version (KJV)

5 My soul, wait thou only upon God; for my expectation is from him.

6 He only is my rock and my salvation: he is my defence; I shall not be moved.

7 In God is my salvation and my glory: the rock of my strength, and my refuge, is in God.

8 Trust in him at all times; ye people, pour out your heart before him: God is a refuge for us. Selah.

10 Trust not in oppression, and become not vain in robbery: if riches increase, set not your heart upon them.

Going to the Lord in trouble shows that we trust in him! We must be HUMBLE before God and he will deliver us! God CARES for us! Something to remember.

As children we go to our parents when we are scared, hurt or in need. Sometimes are parents can provide for us, but sometimes it is not in their control. God not only cares for us, but he has ultimate power:

1 Peter 5

King James Version (KJV)

6 Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time:

7 Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you.

 

Rejoice – be thankful and be kind to one another! Do not be overly worried about ANYTHING.

Whatever concern we have, take it to the Lord because he cares for us:

Philippians 4

King James Version (KJV)

4 Rejoice in the Lord always: and again I say, Rejoice.

5 Let your moderation be known unto all men. The Lord is at hand.

6 Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.

 

A good man will obey God’s word. If we are good, we can rest assured that we will fall at times, but we will not be permanently destitute because God does not forsake the righteous:

Psalm 37

King James Version (KJV)

23 The steps of a good man are ordered by the Lord: and he delighteth in his way.

24 Though he fall, he shall not be utterly cast down: for the Lord upholdeth him with his hand.

25 I have been young, and now am old; yet have I not seen the righteous forsaken, nor his seed begging bread.

 

Focus on doing God’s will. Seek first the kingdom and the Lord will provide all our needs:

Matthew 6

King James Version (KJV)

9 After this manner therefore pray ye: Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name.

10 Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven.

11 Give us this day our daily bread.

25 Therefore I say unto you, Take no thought for your life, what ye shall eat, or what ye shall drink; nor yet for your body, what ye shall put on. Is not the life more than meat, and the body than raiment?

26 Behold the fowls of the air: for they sow not, neither do they reap, nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feedeth them. Are ye not much better than they?

(God is not a respecter of persons. Don’t worry about what you can’t change.)

27 Which of you by taking thought can add one cubit unto his stature?

28 And why take ye thought for raiment? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow; they toil not, neither do they spin:

31 Therefore take no thought, saying, What shall we eat? or, What shall we drink? or, Wherewithal shall we be clothed?

32 (For after all these things do the Gentiles seek:) for your heavenly Father knoweth that ye have need of all these things.

33 But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.

34 Take therefore no thought for the morrow: for the morrow shall take thought for the things of itself. Sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof.

 

Jesus is prophesying through David in Psalm 55 about when he sought the Lord in prayer in the New Testament. We need to submit to the Father like Jesus did in the flesh and the Lord will hear us.

Jesus faced fear and horror in the flesh due to death but he kept his faith because he knew the Father would deliver him and give him PEACE of MIND:

Psalm 55

King James Version (KJV)

1 Give ear to my prayer, O God; and hide not thyself from my supplication.

2 Attend unto me, and hear me: I mourn in my complaint, and make a noise;

3 Because of the voice of the enemy, because of the oppression of the wicked: for they cast iniquity upon me, and in wrath they hate me.

4 My heart is sore pained within me: and the terrors of death are fallen upon me.

5 Fearfulness and trembling are come upon me, and horror hath overwhelmed me.

6 And I said, Oh that I had wings like a dove! for then would I fly away, and be at rest.

7 Lo, then would I wander far off, and remain in the wilderness. Selah.

8 I would hasten my escape from the windy storm and tempest.

16 As for me, I will call upon God; and the Lord shall save me.

17 Evening, and morning, and at noon, will I pray, and cry aloud: and he shall hear my voice.

18 He hath delivered my soul in peace from the battle that was against me: for there were many with me.

(It’s our natural inclination to rely on self but we need to take our burden to the Lord because he will sustain us.)

22 Cast thy burden upon the Lord, and he shall sustain thee: he shall never suffer the righteous to be moved.

 

The Lord hates pride, but he will preserve the faithful. The LORD will STRENGTHEN the MINDS of the HOPEFUL:

Psalm 31

King James Version (KJV)

23 O love the Lord, all ye his saints: for the Lord preserveth the faithful, and plentifully rewardeth the proud doer.

24 Be of good courage, and he shall strengthen your heart, all ye that hope in the Lord.

 

God sustained and strengthened Jesus in his times of trouble and fear! It is important that we seek the Lord out of faith which should allow us to accept the fate God has for us:

Matthew 26

King James Version (KJV)

36 Then cometh Jesus with them unto a place called Gethsemane, and saith unto the disciples, Sit ye here, while I go and pray yonder.

37 And he took with him Peter and the two sons of Zebedee, and began to be sorrowful and very heavy.

38 Then saith he unto them, My soul is exceeding sorrowful, even unto death: tarry ye here, and watch with me.

(We must do and accept Gods in all circumstances!)

39 And he went a little farther, and fell on his face, and prayed, saying, O my Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me: nevertheless not as I will, but as thou wilt.

(Others may not be there with you, but we still have to trust in God)

40 And he cometh unto the disciples, and findeth them asleep, and saith unto Peter, What, could ye not watch with me one hour?

41 Watch and pray, that ye enter not into temptation: the spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.

42 He went away again the second time, and prayed, saying, O my Father, if this cup may not pass away from me, except I drink it, thy will be done.

43 And he came and found them asleep again: for their eyes were heavy.

44 And he left them, and went away again, and prayed the third time, saying the same words.

(JESUS GETS PEACE OF MIND! HE IS READY TO FACE DEATH!)

45 Then cometh he to his disciples, and saith unto them, Sleep on now, and take your rest: behold, the hour is at hand, and the Son of man is betrayed into the hands of sinners.

46 Rise, let us be going: behold, he is at hand that doth betray me.

 

The Bible interprets itself, by matching up the topics, line upon line.

We see that it was an angel that strengthened the Lord. God does not always take away the problem that we face but he will give us the means to overcome it, get over it, or endure it. It is a misconception that Christians will not suffer:

Luke 22

King James Version (KJV)

41 And he was withdrawn from them about a stone’s cast, and kneeled down, and prayed,

42 Saying, Father, if thou be willing, remove this cup from me: nevertheless not my will, but thine, be done.

43 And there appeared an angel unto him from heaven, strengthening him.

44 And being in an agony he prayed more earnestly: and his sweat was as it were great drops of blood falling down to the ground.

45 And when he rose up from prayer, and was come to his disciples, he found them sleeping for sorrow,

46 And said unto them, Why sleep ye? rise and pray, lest ye enter into temptation.

 

Paul on his death bed shows that it is necessary to KEEP THE FAITH and FIGHT THE GOOD FIGHT (OBEYING THE SPIRIT) to receive ETERNAL LIFE:

2 Timothy 4

King James Version (KJV)

6 For I am now ready to be offered, and the time of my departure is at hand.

7 I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith:

 

The only people that will love Jesus’ second coming are the ones that are doing his will! Those that are not will tremble at his appearance. It is like when we are children and have done something wrong and our mother tells us that when our father gets home we are going to get a spanking. If we know we have done wrong then as soon as the door opens, our heart rate increases, our hands get moist, and we start to tremble, but if we have not done anything wrong we will not be bothered.

Disobedience to God’s Law = Sin = Sickness, Pain and Suffering. We have all sinned at one point or another and therefore, we will all experience some form of suffering. 

Paul suffered in the flesh but he continued in strength by keeping the faith knowing that the Lord would give him the means to continue. The Lord will not always take away the pain, but he will help us to continue:

2 Corinthians 12

King James Version (KJV)

7 And lest I should be exalted above measure through the abundance of the revelations, there was given to me a thorn in the flesh, the messenger of Satan to buffet me, lest I should be exalted above measure.

8 For this thing I besought the Lord thrice, that it might depart from me.

9 And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.

10 Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ’s sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong.

 

Paul experienced great trials and tribulations while suffering in the flesh and still having to care for the church. However he endured and overcame by relying on Jesus and keeping the faith. That is why he was confident in hope for eternal life:

2 Corinthians 11

King James Version (KJV)

23 Are they ministers of Christ? (I speak as a fool) I am more; in labours more abundant, in stripes above measure, in prisons more frequent, in deaths oft.

24 Of the Jews five times received I forty stripes save one.

25 Thrice was I beaten with rods, once was I stoned, thrice I suffered shipwreck, a night and a day I have been in the deep;

26 In journeyings often, in perils of waters, in perils of robbers, in perils by mine own countrymen, in perils by the heathen, in perils in the city, in perils in the wilderness, in perils in the sea, in perils among false brethren;

27 In weariness and painfulness, in watchings often, in hunger and thirst, in fastings often, in cold and nakedness.

28 Beside those things that are without, that which cometh upon me daily, the care of all the churches.

29 Who is weak, and I am not weak? who is offended, and I burn not?

30 If I must needs glory, I will glory of the things which concern mine infirmities.

31 The God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which is blessed for evermore, knoweth that I lie not.

 

Trouble, sickness, and affliction will come to us as servants of God. It is all about how we deal with this situations.

Hezekiah was faced with death but prayed to the Lord in his time of trouble and God answered his prayer!

We need to be able to do this and if it be Gods will, he will heal us as well:

2 Kings 20

King James Version (KJV)

1 In those days was Hezekiah sick unto death. And the prophet Isaiah the son of Amoz came to him, and said unto him, Thus saith the Lord, Set thine house in order; for thou shalt die, and not live.

2 Then he turned his face to the wall, and prayed unto the Lord, saying,

3 I beseech thee, O Lord, remember now how I have walked before thee in truth and with a perfect heart, and have done that which is good in thy sight. And Hezekiah wept sore.

4 And it came to pass, afore Isaiah was gone out into the middle court, that the word of the Lord came to him, saying,

5 Turn again, and tell Hezekiah the captain of my people, Thus saith the Lord, the God of David thy father, I have heard thy prayer, I have seen thy tears: behold, I will heal thee: on the third day thou shalt go up unto the house of the Lord.

6 And I will add unto thy days fifteen years; and I will deliver thee and this city out of the hand of the king of Assyria; and I will defend this city for mine own sake, and for my servant David’s sake.

7 And Isaiah said, Take a lump of figs. And they took and laid it on the boil, and he recovered.

(There will always be doubt and concern. Hezekiah was still worried after he was healed.)

8 And Hezekiah said unto Isaiah, What shall be the sign that the Lord will heal me, and that I shall go up into the house of the Lord the third day?

 

Sometimes although the Lord shows us mercy, we do not get favorable outcomes in our times of trouble: David’s child dies due to David’s sin against God. However, at the end of the day David showed his faith by repenting for his actions and accepting the Lord’s will (death of his child):

2 Samuel 12

King James Version (KJV)

1 And the Lord sent Nathan unto David. And he came unto him, and said unto him, There were two men in one city; the one rich, and the other poor.

2 The rich man had exceeding many flocks and herds:

3 But the poor man had nothing, save one little ewe lamb, which he had bought and nourished up: and it grew up together with him, and with his children; it did eat of his own meat, and drank of his own cup, and lay in his bosom, and was unto him as a daughter.

4 And there came a traveller unto the rich man, and he spared to take of his own flock and of his own herd, to dress for the wayfaring man that was come unto him; but took the poor man’s lamb, and dressed it for the man that was come to him.

5 And David’s anger was greatly kindled against the man; and he said to Nathan, As the Lord liveth, the man that hath done this thing shall surely die:

(David Testified against himself. By our words, are we justified and condemned.)

6 And he shall restore the lamb fourfold, because he did this thing, and because he had no pity.

7 And Nathan said to David, Thou art the man. Thus saith the Lord God of Israel, I anointed thee king over Israel, and I delivered thee out of the hand of Saul;

(You cannot repent if you do not acknowledge the wrong that you have done!)

13 And David said unto Nathan, I have sinned against the Lord. And Nathan said unto David, The Lord also hath put away thy sin; thou shalt not die.

(The Child has not done anything wrong, so it is okay that he will die because there will be a resurrection and he will more than likely raise in the first resurrection.)

14 Howbeit, because by this deed thou hast given great occasion to the enemies of the Lord to blaspheme, the child also that is born unto thee shall surely die.

15 And Nathan departed unto his house. And the Lord struck the child that Uriah’s wife bare unto David, and it was very sick.

(Sometimes, our praying and fasting will not end with us receiving a favorable outcome.)

16 David therefore besought God for the child; and David fasted, and went in, and lay all night upon the earth.

17 And the elders of his house arose, and went to him, to raise him up from the earth: but he would not, neither did he eat bread with them.

18 And it came to pass on the seventh day, that the child died. And the servants of David feared to tell him that the child was dead: for they said, Behold, while the child was yet alive, we spake unto him, and he would not hearken unto our voice: how will he then vex himself, if we tell him that the child is dead?

19 But when David saw that his servants whispered, David perceived that the child was dead: therefore David said unto his servants, Is the child dead? And they said, He is dead.

20 Then David arose from the earth, and washed, and anointed himself, and changed his apparel, and came into the house of the Lord, and worshipped: then he came to his own house; and when he required, they set bread before him, and he did eat.

(David’s servants did not understand his actions)

21 Then said his servants unto him, What thing is this that thou hast done? thou didst fast and weep for the child, while it was alive; but when the child was dead, thou didst rise and eat bread.

David explains that it is not profitable to worry over the dead.

23 But now he is dead, wherefore should I fast? can I bring him back again? I shall go to him, but he shall not return to me.

TRUE FAITH: Knowing God is able to deliver you, but accepting that either he will or will not and either way, you keep your faith and obey God’s commandments! God delivered his true servants from DEATH! Our God is MOST POWERFUL AND CAN DO ALL THINGS! IRRESPECTIVE OF ANY CIRCUMSTANCE, WE MUST TRUST HIM:

Daniel 3

King James Version (KJV)

1 Nebuchadnezzar the king made an image of gold, whose height was threescore cubits, and the breadth thereof six cubits: he set it up in the plain of Dura, in the province of Babylon.

2 Then Nebuchadnezzar the king sent to gather together the princes, the governors, and the captains, the judges, the treasurers, the counsellors, the sheriffs, and all the rulers of the provinces, to come to the dedication of the image which Nebuchadnezzar the king had set up.

3 Then the princes, the governors, and captains, the judges, the treasurers, the counsellors, the sheriffs, and all the rulers of the provinces, were gathered together unto the dedication of the image that Nebuchadnezzar the king had set up; and they stood before the image that Nebuchadnezzar had set up.

11 And whoso falleth not down and worshippeth, that he should be cast into the midst of a burning fiery furnace.

(They did not worship the false gods due to God’s first commandment)

12 There are certain Jews whom thou hast set over the affairs of the province of Babylon, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego; these men, O king, have not regarded thee: they serve not thy gods, nor worship the golden image which thou hast set up.

13 Then Nebuchadnezzar in his rage and fury commanded to bring Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego. Then they brought these men before the king.

(One chapter ago, the King confessed that the God of Israel is the true and living God, but afterwards he disregarded the truth out of pride.)

14 Nebuchadnezzar spake and said unto them, Is it true, O Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, do not ye serve my gods, nor worship the golden image which I have set up?

15 Now if ye be ready that at what time ye hear the sound of the cornet, flute, harp, sackbut, psaltery, and dulcimer, and all kinds of musick, ye fall down and worship the image which I have made; well: but if ye worship not, ye shall be cast the same hour into the midst of a burning fiery furnace; and who is that God that shall deliver you out of my hands?

(They did not even have to think about there answer. Faith in God gives you COURAGE in unfavorable circumstances!)

16 Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, answered and said to the king, O Nebuchadnezzar, we are not careful to answer thee in this matter.

(TRUE FAITH!)

17 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.

18 But if not, be it known unto thee, O king, that we will not serve thy gods, nor worship the golden image which thou hast set up.

19 Then was Nebuchadnezzar full of fury, and the form of his visage was changed against Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego: therefore he spake, and commanded that they should heat the furnace one seven times more than it was wont to be heated.

20 And he commanded the most mighty men that were in his army to bind Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, and to cast them into the burning fiery furnace.

21 Then these men were bound in their coats, their hosen, and their hats, and their other garments, and were cast into the midst of the burning fiery furnace.

22 Therefore because the king’s commandment was urgent, and the furnace exceeding hot, the flames of the fire slew those men that took up Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego.

23 And these three men, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, fell down bound into the midst of the burning fiery furnace.

24 Then Nebuchadnezzar the king was astonished, and rose up in haste, and spake, and said unto his counsellors, Did not we cast three men bound into the midst of the fire? They answered and said unto the king, True, O king.

25 He answered and said, Lo, I see four men loose, walking in the midst of the fire, and they have no hurt; and the form of the fourth is like the Son of God.

26 Then Nebuchadnezzar came near to the mouth of the burning fiery furnace, and spake, and said, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, ye servants of the MOST HIGH GOD, come forth, and come hither. Then Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, came forth of the midst of the fire.

27 And the princes, governors, and captains, and the king’s counsellors, being gathered together, saw these men, upon whose bodies the fire had no power, nor was an hair of their head singed, neither were their coats changed, nor the smell of fire had passed on them.

28 Then Nebuchadnezzar spake, and said, Blessed be the God of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, who hath sent his ANGEL, and DELIVERED his SERVANTS that TRUSTED in him, and have changed the king’s word, and yielded their bodies, that they might not serve nor worship any god, except their own God.

 

The Lord did not promise us that we would be rich, our children will live long, or that we will always be healed from being sick… However, he did promise us ETERNAL LIFE! Therefore we must TRUST in God at ALL TIMES. The righteous will face adversity but God will deliver us from all of our trials and ultimately give us ETERNAL LIFE:

Psalm 34

King James Version (KJV)

1 I will bless the Lord at ALL TIMES: his praise shall continually be in my mouth.

 My soul shall make her boast in the Lord: the humble shall hear thereof, and be glad.

3 O magnify the Lord with me, and let us exalt his name together.

4 I sought the Lord, and he HEARD ME, and delivered me from all my fears.

19 Many are the afflictions of the righteous: but the Lord delivereth him out of them all.

22 The Lord redeemeth the soul of his servants: and none of them that trust in him shall be desolate.