Dave’s Monday Blast – December 15, 2025
Everyone is familiar with some version of this phrase: “We need a Christmas Miracle”! As we march ever closer to another Christmas, (which I think simply making it to another Christmas season is a miracle in itself) I find myself searching the Scriptures as a reminder that our God has been, is, and will continue to be a miracle worker. Of course a miracle to us is commonplace to Him. While it is true that everyone wants to experience a Christmas Miracle, nobody really wants to be in a position to necessitate one!
We find in Daniel chapter 3 an account of three young men who find themselves in desperate need of a miracle. In an effort to wrap up a three week conversation on experiencing and overcoming “Hard Places” with our faith in Him ever stronger, I would have you read Daniel Three and reacquaint yourselves with the familiar story of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego; three faithful servants of the Most High God living in obedience in the midst of a perverse culture.
We discover at the end of Daniel 2:46 – 49 that the Prophet Daniel, who was in service to King Nebuchadnezzar, had these three young men appointed to high positions in the province of Babylon. This was made possible as Daniel had shown this king who the real King was, and he seemingly wants to honor Daniel’s God. What comes next is worth remembering.
1. We are all guilty of The Sin of Forgetfulness. As Daniel chapter 3 opens we find Nebuchadnezzar demanding that all in his kingdom bow down and worship him. He forgot who the real King was. What will our three servants of the real King do?
2. We all live with a great deal of pressure/tension to conform to the demands of this world. (Daniel 3:8 – 18) Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego experienced tremendous pressure to do what everyone else is doing or else!
a. Pressure from authority, be it real or perceived!
b. Pressure from malice – jealousy!
c. Pressure from intimidation!
When we find ourselves experiencing these pressures to compromise we often use phrases like the following in an effort to skip a “hard place”:
“I will only do it once” or “God wouldn’t want me to have to suffer the outcome if I don’t give in” or “We don’t want to offend anyone as it might harm our witness” or “God will forgive me, He understands”.
We stay strong by remembering that God’s plan is always better, even if the outcome is not what we want or the consequence puts us in a “hard place”. Compromise to sin must always be seen as a lack of faith (Hebrews 11:8).
3. At times we all think that obedience is insanity. (Daniel 3:17 & 18) I think we always need to remember that obedience to God is the end game, not the resolution or the outcome through “hard places”.
4. We must always remember that God is able. (Daniel 3:19 – 30) God did indeed “show up” in the midst of the furnace. That miracle demonstrated that He is able, that nothing is outside His power! The decision that these young men made (vs. 17 & 18) in the midst of all the pressure they were under, is what is required of us in our calling as His chosen ones. INTENTIONAL men of God fully understand that He is always able, but that does not mean He will always do what we think He should. Reread verses 17 & 18!
