Job 13:15 Though he slay me, yet will I trust in him: but I will maintain mine own ways before him.

One of the best examples in scripture of someone living out the principle of this passage is the example of Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah. These three men were so committed to God that they refused to bow down before the false gods of their day. These young men trusted that God would save them. They also told the king that even if the King of Kings did not come and save them, they still would not bow down to the false gods.

In this passage, Job is teaching an important principle that we would do well to learn. It is easy to say that you trust in God when things are going well, it is much harder to trust God when your world is falling apart around you. Job did not make this statement when he had great wealth and a wonderful family. Job is making this statement when his world has fallen apart all around him. Job is stating his trust in God after he has lost his wealth, after he has lost his health, and after he has lost all of his children.

Right after you get a raise at work, it is easy to proclaim that you love God and that you trust in HIM. However, will you have a smile on your face and be praising God as you drive home from work right after your boss fires you?

Paul wrote the words that he had learned in whatsoever state he was in to be content. Paul did not write this right after he had heard from God to go be a missionary. Paul did not write these truths immediately after preaching some great sermon where he touched the lives of many individuals. Paul wrote these truths that he had learned to be content while he was in prison. Paul had learned to be content when most people would find it hard to be content.

If you were in the position of Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah, would you be bold to tell someone who was trying to kill you that God could save you? How would you respond if you found yourself in a position where a gun was being put to your head and you were told to deny God? Do you really believe that if you were to die today you would be in a better place? It is easy to say those words when you are at church in front of many believers, but it is much harder to profess your convictions to someone who does not agree with you.

Job was suffering much but that did not stop him from trusting in God. Job did not care how bad his situation in life became, he was not going to change. Job trusted in God when things were good and he was going to trust in God when times were difficult.

When things in life become difficult, that is not the time to abandon ship. You must learn to be patient with God and allow HIM to reveal to you how HE can work all things together for good because you love HIM and you are called according to HIS purposes. Of course, if you do not trust in God and your life is becoming difficult, that is a good time to abandon ship and learn what it means to put your life in the hands of a Holy God.

God is in control and HE is not going to allow you to face a trial that you are not able to bear. As you live your life, you must learn to keep your focus upon the things of God rather than the trials of your life. As walls appear in front of you to keep you from doing what you would like to do or what you think the perfect will of God is for your life, stop and put your trust in God and watch how HE takes you up and over the wall.

Job 2:3 And the LORD said unto Satan, Hast thou considered my servant Job, that there is none like him in the earth, a perfect and an upright man, one that feareth God, and escheweth evil? And still he holdeth fast his integrity, although thou movedst me against him, to destroy him without cause.

This is the second time that Satan has made an appearance before God in which God has called Satan’s attention to the righteousness of Job. The first time that God pointed Satan out to Job, Job had not experienced the trials that he now was facing. God had given Satan permission of attacking both the wealth and the family of Job. However, even though Job had experienced great trials, he refused to sin and he refused to respond as Satan expected him to respond.

The Lord was proud of Job because he lived his life in a way that was pleasing to God not only when God blessed him but also when things were going pretty rough. Job was not a fair-weather friend of God; Job had made a commitment to put the things of God first in his life and regardless of what his circumstances were, Job was faithful to that commitment.

Job is an example of patience because he understood regardless of what his circumstances were, he had a duty to put God first in his life. While most people would have quickly given up on God, Job pushed forward and made sure that no one could point a finger at him and accuse him of complaining about what was going on in his life. Job was willing to accept both the good and the bad that he faced in his daily life.

It is one thing to say that you are willing to accept both good and evil from God, it is another thing all together to live your life according to that principle. Job is an example to all of us of a man who not only talked the talk but he walked the walk.

Stop and look at your life. When was the last time you complained about something unfair that happened in your life? When was the last time you were upset with God because HE did not give you the desires of your heart? If you are like most people, it probably was not very long ago and you were guilty of doubting God’s ability to reign supreme in your life.

Remember the words of Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah when they had a choice whether to bow down and worship the false gods or to be thrown into the fiery furnace? These men boldly proclaimed that God would deliver them, and if he didn’t deliver them, they still would not bow down and worship the false gods. These men had utter faith in God and they were not going to lose their faith in God just because their lives were in jeopardy.

God was proud of Job because Job had remained faithful in the midst of the storm. Little did Job know that things were about to go from bad to worse. Nonetheless, God was in charge and Job was more concerned about his relationship with God then he was about the results from his life. We too could learn a lot from Job along with Daniel’s three friends about being more concerned about our faith then the circumstances of our life. If we are looking at our circumstances, we will never be exercising patience and focusing our attention on that which really is important.

It is not about the results of your life that God is looking at. What is important to HIM is that we remain faithful to HIM regardless of what is going on around us. Do not jump to conclusions and assume that because the circumstances are not right that your life is in ruins. Instead, learn to praise God right where you are today and see what God has in store for your future.

Proverbs 28:14 Happy is the man that feareth always: but he that hardeneth his heart shall fall into mischief.

Are you happy? When people ask you about your day, do you immediately tell them all the good things that occurred in your life or do you waste your time discouraging them with all the bad things that occurred? Your attitude does affect others. If you are happy and you act like you are happy, then others will desire to have what you have. If you are miserable and act like you are miserable, what hope do you have in ever winning someone over to the Lord?

There is a battle for your emotions. Satan knows that if he can get your focus upon the things of this world, then it will be easy to discourage you when things do not go your way. As long as you are discouraged, the light of God will not properly reflect through you.

One of the blessings of being a Christian is that no matter how bad things are in your life, you know that God is in control. Esther had heard the news that all the Jews were to be killed. Esther had the Jews pray for three days before she risked her life and went before the king. God was with Esther and the king showed her favor and the Jews were saved because of her actions.

God was with Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah when they were in the midst of the fiery furnace. These men refused to bow down to a false god and there punishment was to be burned alive. Even though they were going to their death, they had a positive attitude and they acknowledged that God could save them or he could allow them to die, but either way, their lives were in the hands of the Lord.

In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus started out with nine things that give a Christian happiness. The word blessed means happy. Jesus teaches us that we can be happy when we mourn, when we are persecuted, and for several other things. As a Christian, our happiness comes from God. This means that regardless of what is going on around us, we cannot focus upon our circumstances, we must learn to focus upon God and HIS power in our life.

Do you fear the Lord? One of the evidences of you fearing the Lord will be that you understand that God is in control of your life and as such, you do not have to become worried when life throws you lemons. The fear of the Lord allows you to be content.

Those who do not fear the Lord blame God when they face difficult times. They do not trust God because in their minds, how can a loving God allow such terrible things to occur in their life and in the lives of others. They are not happy because they think that God owes them happiness. Instead of turning to God in their time of trouble, they continue the downward destructive spiral of their life.

You may not be able to control the circumstances in your life but you can control how you respond to them. If you have taken the time to add knowledge of the ways of God and have the fear of the Lord in your life, then your natural response will be to trust God. When you trust God, you do not have to worry or be discouraged because it is out of your hands and you know that God has a purpose. It is only when you insist on doing things your own way that you start the miserable self-destructive cycle that makes you miserable along with everyone around you. Trust in the Lord and in the power of HIS might and you will find happiness. Focus on what the world can give you and you will never be content.

Proverbs 22:12 The eyes of the LORD preserve knowledge, and he overthroweth the words of the transgressor.

The knowledge of the ways of the Lord are preserved from generation to generation. How many kings have tried to destroy Christianity? How many rulers have attempted to get rid of religion? Ever since the resurrection of Jesus, there have been many individuals who have done their best to rid this world of the influences of its Creator.

However, God is greater than any ruler and God has preserved HIS Word. God has kept the truth of HIS love from being destroyed by wicked men. While God has allowed wicked men to put the church under great persecution, God has not allowed anyone to ever completely rid this world of any influences of Christianity.

Think about some of the great kingdoms in the past. While they may have had a great ruler who was able to control a large amount of territory, eventually, those kingdoms were destroyed and are history. The rulers could not maintain their kingdom forever. Eventually, it was overrun by greed, lust, or pride. While these men could not maintain their kingdom, God has been able to maintain HIS kingdom.

God gave to Moses the Ten Commandments. When Moses saw the wickedness of the people in worshiping the golden calf, Moses broke the Ten Commandments. God however did not change the Ten Commandments nor did HE just allow it to be quickly forgotten. God had Moses come back to the mountain where God once again gave Moses the Ten Commandments. Just like Moses could not destroy the only copy of the Ten Commandments, so too, God will not allow man to destroy HIS Word, the Bible.

God is greater than any ruler. Just as man could not kill Jesus Christ, so man cannot rid this world of the influence of Christ. Man may try to distort the truths of scripture but eventually, their life will end and eventually, the fallacies of their follies will be forgotten.

When Babylon was the supreme nation in the world, Nebuchadnezzar decided to demonstrate that the gods of Babylon were supreme. Nebuchadnezzar erected a god made of stone and ordered that everyone bow down. Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah determined in their heart that they were not going to sin against God. These three men refused to bow down to the false gods of the world and Nebuchadnezzar had them thrown into the furnace. However, God wanted Nebuchadnezzar and the entire world to know that there was a God and that these three men were serving HIM. God protected Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah.

You must choose whose side you are on. Are you going to be on the side of God or are you going to be on the side who has chosen to be against HIM? You cannot straddle the fence; you cannot have it both ways; you cannot serve both God and the world. Either you are a friend of God or you are an enemy of God.

God has preserved HIS word. God has preserved the knowledge of HIS perfect ways. The question is, are you going to be a searcher who goes out and finds the knowledge of the ways of God? Are you going to spend your time drawing closer to God? Are you going to allow yourself to find the perfect will of God and allow HIM to change your thinking? God has preserved HIS knowledge, it is now up to you to find the knowledge of the ways of God.

Proverbs 1:7 The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge: but fools despise wisdom and instruction.

We have been instructed to add knowledge of the ways of the Lord to our life. In this passage, we see that the fear of the Lord is the foundation of knowledge. If you do not have the fear of the Lord, then how can you have knowledge?

In order to have the fear of the Lord, one needs to have a reverence for whom God is. Too many individuals spend too much time relying upon the mercy of God that they do not understand HIS judgment. The fear of the Lord causes one to appreciate the gift that God gave to us, and it encourages them to strive to please God in all that they do.

We all have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God. God has chosen to give us the gift of HIS mercy in that all who confess their sins are able to live for eternity in heaven. Think of the story of the prodigal son. In that story, the son received a great gift, yet he had nothing to show for it. If we choose to squander away our time here on this earth doing what we want when we want, then we are no better than the prodigal son living in the pig pin. He was still a son of a rich man, but no one could tell by looking at him.

In order to have the fear of the Lord, we must learn to understand who God is and what HE means in our life. Just because God does not strike you with lightening the very first time you swear it does not mean that God is pleased with you and that you will go unpunished. When you have the fear of the Lord in your life, you understand that you are accountable to HIM for every word, every thought, and every action. When you understand that you are accountable to God and then you do not do those things that God would disapprove of, that is when you are living your life according to the fear of the Lord.

Daniel along with Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah understood the importance of living their life pleasing to God. The king, their boss, told them to do something that they knew was not pleasing to the Lord. They could have made all the excuses in the book as to why it would be permissible for them to eat the meat of the king. However, Daniel and his friends chose to live their lives in a way that was pleasing to God. They knew that they could be punished for their actions, but they would rather please God than to please man.

Why is it that you think God used Daniel the way that he did? Is it because Daniel was in the right place at the right time? Is it because Daniel had a privileged past? Is it because Daniel came from a certain family? God used Daniel because Daniel took the time to put the things of the Lord first. Daniel understood the fear of the Lord and he chose to live his life in a way that is pleasing to God regardless of the consequences here on this earth.

Do you desire to obey God and add knowledge to your life? Then start with the fear of the Lord. Start by changing your life so that you put God first in all that you do. There can be no knowledge without the fear of God. You must start taking the time to understand who God is, and once you understand who God is, then you must start living your life as if you serve a Living God. You may work in a huge corporation and you have never met the president, however, that does not mean that you can avoid following his directions. So likewise, a quick look at this world reveals to you that there is a God and that knowledge should change the way you live.

Acts 4:19-20 But Peter and John answered and said unto them, Whether it be right in the sight of God to hearken unto you more than unto God, judge ye. For we cannot but speak the things which we have seen and heard.

The religious leaders recognized that God had performed a mighty miracle through Peter and John when they healed the lame man. They understood that all of Jerusalem understood that it was God who was working through these men. The religious leaders knew that if these men continued to preach, they were going to be persuading many to follow Christ. They determined to threaten Peter and John and commanded them not to teach in the name of Jesus.

The same tactic is still being used today by those who hate the name of Christ. There is not much religious liberty to share with others the testimony of Jesus Christ. The world desires to do what is right in their own eyes and as such, they do not want to be convicted of their sins. Furthermore, they do not want you leading others to the saving power of Christ because then they will be in the minority and will not have the power to push their deviant life-style upon others.

Peter and John understood what Christ had done through them. They understood that they were commanded by Christ to preach the gospel. They understood that they had the power of God in their life and that greater was HE that was in them then he that is of this world. The apostles chose to do what was right in the eyes of God. They knew that the religious leaders could drag them into prison any day of the week, but it was more important to them to do what Christ commanded rather than worry about the consequences of obeying Christ.

The world will try to shame you into keeping your Christianity a secret. The world is constantly trying to pass laws that will prevent you from obeying the will of God for your life. However, you need to learn to fear God more than man. You need to be willing to suffer for the cause of Christ. Peter and John were powerful examples for the cause of Christ and God used them to bring thousands to the kingdom of God because they feared God.

You have seen how God has worked in your life. You have studied the scriptures and you understand that God desires that you be the salt and the light. Salt is worthless if it stays in the shaker. Light is worthless if you hide it. Who created this world, God or man? Remember, Jesus taught us to render to God the things that are Gods. If God is the creator, then you have an obligation to obey HIS commands here on this earth. Do not be afraid of what man can do unto you. When you are willing to obey God for doing what is right, God is able to protect you.

Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah were faced with a difficult decision. Do they obey man and bow down to the gods made of the hands of men or do they obey God and worship only the One true God. They chose to obey God rather than man and God protected them. Daniel was commanded to only worship the king for 30 days. Daniel deliberately disobeyed the commands of man and God saved him from the den of lions.

God has shown HIS power and strength. If you are going to add knowledge to your life, you need to understand that it is God whom you serve and that you need to boldly proclaim the truth of HIS ways to this world. It does not matter what man can do to you, God has already demonstrated HIS ability to protect those who are willing to follow in the way.

Psalms 140:7 O God the Lord, the strength of my salvation, thou hast covered my head in the day of battle.

When Joshua fought against Amalek, Moses stood upon the hill lifting up the rod of God. As long as Moses’ hands were raised, Joshua prevailed. When Moses’ hands grew weary and fell down, then Amalek prevailed. Joshua was only as successful as Moses was able to intercede on his behalf. Because Moses became to tired to hold up his hands, eventually Aaron and Hur had to help Moses keep his hands raised so that Joshua was able to defeat Amalek.

Of his own strength, Joshua was able to do nothing. Joshua could only win the battle if Moses was successful at interceding on his behalf. Moses of his own strength could not hold up the rod of God all day. Moses needed others to help him. Because no one person was responsible for obtaining the victory over Amalek, God was the one who received the glory. God received the glory for the actions of Joshua, Moses, Aaron, Hur and the entire Israelite army.

Joshua was covered in the day of battle by the interceding of Moses. When we are pursuing the battle that God has called us to, than we have HIS protection. Unlike Moses, God does not grow weary and HE will be with us every step of the way. God will protect you when you are in the center of HIS will.

God protected David when he stepped onto the battlefield against Goliath. David understood that HE was doing God’s will and that it would be God who protected HIM, not the weapons of the world. Daniel’s three friends, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah understood that God did not want them to bow down to gods made of man’s hands. They did not know if God was going to save them, but they knew that they were not going to disobey God and not receive the blessings of HIS protection.

What can man do to you when you are doing HIS will? God is able to protect you regardless of the situation that you face. God does not grow weary but is faithful and just to be with you every step of the way. In Psalm 23, David acknowledges that “though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me.” David understood that no matter how dark the situation becomes, God would never forsake him. God would always be HIS cover.

When you are doing the will of God, you will face some difficult times. However, this is not the time to give up and walk away. Instead, this is the time where God desires you to step up and trust in HIM. Make a commitment that you are not going to allow Satan to discourage you. Trust in the Lord with all your heart and allow HIM to work through you to do many great things. Let God be your covering in all that you do.

If you are going to see God do great things through you, than you must allow HIM to be your cover and protection. This will require that you no longer lean on your own understanding but instead requires that you fill your mind with the things of God. When you add virtue to your faith and fill your mind with the things that are pleasing to God, God is able to do many mighty things through you.

Psalms 114:7 Tremble, thou earth, at the presence of the God of Jacob;

In this Psalm we see several example of how God controls the earth. The psalmist draws our attention to the parting of the Red Sea and the Jordan River. In addition, we are reminded of how God turned a rock into water. God not only created the earth but HE also has dominion over it. God can use this earth to demonstrate to the world HIS power.

Throughout scripture we see various examples of God using nature to demonstrate HIS power. During the time of Noah, God sent a flood that covered the entire earth. During the time of Elijah, HE withheld rain from the earth to show the wicked king Ahab that God is in control. During the time of Moses, God sent an earthquake at the precise moment and the precise location so as to quash the rebellion of Korah.

God brought fire down from heaven during the time of Elijah to show to a nation that HE was one true God. During the time of Nebuchadnezzar, God demonstrated HIS power over fire by protecting Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah from being burned. God controlled the mouth of a lion to kill the young prophet who disobeyed God by not immediately returning to Judah. God also used the mouth of a lion to demonstrate HIS power to king Darius by not allowing the lions to destroy Daniel.

God can do anything. God created this earth and HE has complete dominion over it. Nothing is too difficult for HIM. The earth understands the power of its Creator and as such, it trembles at the presence of God. The question is, do you understand the power of God? Do you fully understand what God can do through you if you will but acknowledge HIS presence in your life?

If the earth trembles at the presence of God, how much more should you recognize the power of God and tremble at HIS presence? God is to be feared. HE knows your every thought, action, and deed. HE is the One who gave you the talents that enable you to obtain the praises of man. There is nothing you can do apart from God’s grace and mercy in your life.

You would think it pretty foolish of a three-year-old to start bragging about how he is self-sufficient. If it were not for the love and care of his parents, he would die. Where does the food come from that nourishes him? Yes, he may have figured out how to open a box of cereal and eat out of it, but if his parents were to all of a sudden die, how is the box of cereal going to be replenished?

Apart from God you are nothing. You need to change your perspective on life. Rather than fill your mind with your own accomplishments and what you can do of your own accord, you need to start looking for how you can be used of God to fulfill HIS will.

God resists the proud but HE gives grace unto the humble. You need to recognize God for who HE is and give HIM the praise that is due unto HIS name. Fill your mind with the virtue of God so that God can use you to do great things for HIM. Do not compromise your standards but instead, watch as God can be honored through your obedience and trust in HIM. God can use nature to demonstrate to the world that HE is the ultimate power. God simply requests that you trust HIM and give HIM the glory.

Psalms 108:13 Through God we shall do valiantly: for he it is that shall tread down our enemies.

It is important to remember that of yourself you can do nothing. If you take the time to examine many of the Old Testament battles, you will see that it was God working through individuals so that HE receives the glory. God chose to work through man so that HE is glorified.

Who received the glory when the walls of Jericho came down? Joshua simply obeyed God and as a result, HE saw God bring a great victory. Who received the glory when Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah stepped out of the fiery furnace? Daniel’s three friends had to commit their lives unto God and be willing to suffer the consequences of disobeying the king’s commandment. Who received the glory when Gideon and his 300 men killed one hundred twenty thousand men? Gideon simply was willing to obey God and follow HIS commands and allow God to receive the glory.

Throughout the scriptures you see story after story of God using man to win a great victory. David heard Goliath and David was the only individual who was willing to allow God to use him to destroy the one who defied the living God. God works through people, but HE does so in such a way that HE receives the glory. When Joshua was instructed to fight Amalek, Joshua was only successful as long as Moses’ hands were lifted up. When Moses brought down his hands, Joshua would start to lose but as long as Moses’ hands were in the air, God received the glory and Joshua would be winning. Moses’ hands grew weary and he was unable to keep his hands up during the entire battle, as such, Aaron and Hur assisted Moses in lifting up his hands so that God received the glory.

God desires that you understand that it is not of yourself that anything will ever be accomplished. God has given you great talents but it is HE who desires to use those talents to bring HIM glory. If God does not receive the glory for working mightily through you, why should HE use you? Saul was the tallest man in Israel. Scripture tells us that “from his shoulders and upward he was higher than any of the people” (1 Samuel 9:2). Who better to go fight the champion of the enemy then the king whom God had anointed? Saul had seen God work through him in the past but because of his sin, Saul was afraid like the rest of his army. God used a boy who completely trusted in HIM. God used a boy who was not skilled in the weapons of war, but was willing to use the talents God had given him for the glory of God.

God can do great things through you if you will first take the time to change your perspective. Instead of thinking of all the ways that you can receive the glory, you should start thinking about how God can receive the glory for your actions. It does not matter how formable the opposition, what matters is that you listen to God and fully trust HIM.

Fill your mind with the testimonies of the good things that God has done through you and others. As you seek to fill your mind with virtue, God will be able to direct you in such a way that HE receives the glory for the things that you do. God will protect those who put their trust in HIM and are willing that HE receives the glory. You already have the tools that you need to win the battle, why don’t you just use them?

Psalms 77:11 I will remember the works of the Lord: surely I will remember thy wonders of old.

There is nothing that requires you to remember all the good things God has done for you. God does not require that you spend four hours each day thinking about all the things HE has done for you. However, if you desire that your faith grow, you need to have a change of mindset; you must learn to start remembering what God has done for you in the past so that you will have the faith to do new things for God.

God has shown HIMSELF strong in your life in the past. This is your testimony that HE desires you to remember so that you will have the confidence to trust HIM the next time you face a storm. Satan desires to distract you with worry. He looks for ways to cause you to think about your problems and thus lose focus of God’s faithfulness.

If you are going to see God do the impossible through you, you must first change your mindset. You must continually take the time to remember the things God has done in the past. As you remember how God has directed, protected, and provided for you; God can now do a new things through you because you have complete trust in HIS’ faithfulness.

The nation of Israel understood that it was God’s plan for their lives that they leave the land of Egypt. They saw God’s deliverance as HE parted the Red Sea and utterly destroyed those who kept them in bondage. They had seen God’s provision in their lives as HE provided bread and meat. Yet when they heard the report of the 12 spies, they did not have the faith to follow God’s direction. They did not have the faith because they were more worried about the giants in the land than they were about God’s faithfulness.

Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah were faced with a difficult decision. They had to choose between being faithful to God and not bowing to an idol and face death or bow down to the idol and live. These three men remembered God’s faithfulness and thus they placed their faith in God. These men saw God do the impossible through them because they remembered the things God had done for them in the past.

In verse 12 of this Psalm, the Psalmist says “I will meditate also of all thy work, and talk of thy doings.” The Psalmist understood that he needed to do more than just remember what God had done but that he had to continually fill his mind with the goodness of God. In addition, he needed to tell others because in telling others, not only did he increase the faith of others but he also encouraged his own faith as he acknowledged God’s faithfulness in his life.

You have problems that you are facing and you cry out to God for help. Have you taken the time to stop and remember God’s faithfulness? Have you taken the time to fill your mind with God’s goodness? Have you gone out and told others of what God has done for you? Virtue is filling your mind with a good report. You are commanded to add to your faith virtue. As you fill your mind with God’s goodness and has you praise HIM for the things that HE has done, your faith will grow because your expectations is upon God. You must change your mindset and stop looking at your problems and instead look towards the solution.

Matthew 10:28 And fear not them which kill the body, but are not able to kill the soul: but rather fear him which is able to destroy both soul and body in hell.

Christ teaches the importance of the fear of the Lord. Because of man’s sin nature, he naturally fears that which he can see. However, Christ is teaching about a new perspective, a perspective where you should fear that which you cannot see. How many people throughout the ages have been willing to deny their faith in order to spare their own life or the life of a love one?

Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah were faced with the decision, were they going to deny their faith in order to save their lives or were they going to forsake their lives in order to remain true to God. Daniel’s three friends choose to fear God rather than man. They understood that they might die, but they also were more concerned with living eternity in heaven rather than living just a few more years on earth but eternity in hell.

As a Christian, you have the promise of God that your eternal home is in heaven. Nonetheless, Satan desires to tempt you by causing you to violate God’s perfect law in order to live a more comfortable life here on earth. Satan will bring things into your life that causes you to put your focus upon this world. As a Christian you cannot afford to have your focus on worldly things, you focus needs to be on the will of God and HIS purpose for your life. If you can keep your focus on God, it will be harder for Satan to tempt you with the things of the world.

It is not easy to set your mind upon the things of God. It is not easy to allow the things of this world not to have an impact upon your life. However, that is what you are commanded to do and as such, you must take the time to seek God and ask HIM to change your heart so that your relationship with HIM is the most important thing. Rather than fear man and what man can do to you, you need to take the time to understand God and comprehend what the Day of Judgment will be like if you did not live your life in the fear of the Lord.

The fear of the Lord is understanding that God sees your every thought, feeling and actions. The fear of the Lord is understanding that God will judge you for every thought, feeling and actions. The fear of the Lord is changing your every thought, feeling and deed so as please your Maker. Until you properly put God in perspective with the things of this world, your natural reaction will be to live your life in such a way that those around you control what you do. You may think that you are in control, but just examine your own life and you will quickly see many different areas where you have allowed peer pressure to guide your decisions.

Adding to your faith virtue requires that you change your thoughts, feelings and actions. It is because of your fear of the Lord that you are willing to add virtue to your life. Until you really understand the fear of the Lord, you will never mentally be ready to add virtue to your life. As long as God is a nice guy up in heaven that you will see after your time here on earth, you will never have the right perspective. You must learn the words of Christ and apply them to your daily life. Take the time to judge each decision you make to ensure that you are doing it to please God rather than just to please man.

Acts 12:6 And when Herod would have brought him forth, the same night Peter was sleeping between two soldiers, bound with two chains: and the keepers before the door kept the prison.

Herod had just killed James the brother of John. Herod saw how it pleased the Jews to kill the apostles so he had Peter arrested. Herod had every intention to kill Peter also. Herod was a man who did that which is right in his own eyes; he did those things that would cause him to gain popularity with those around him. He was more concerned about having people like him then he was about being a just ruler.

Peter was in prison; he knew Herod intended to kill him. Peter was not found weeping and pleading for his life. Peter was not found worrying about what was going to happen next. Peter was found sleeping in-between two guards. The storms were tossing in his life yet Peter calmly waited to see what God was going to do.

Remember when the disciples were in the boat and they thought that the sea was about to destroy them. Peter along with the other disciples woke Jesus up to ask Jesus to save them from their impending death. Peter had changed. Peter understood that God knew what was going on in his life. Peter understood that Herod could do nothing absent it was God’s will for his life. Peter understood that worrying about his problems would not change the circumstances that he found himself in.

Peter understood the power of God. Peter understood that God was able to rescue Daniel’s three friends from the fiery furnace. Peter also understood that God choose not to save Stephen or James from being killed. Peter simply desired to please God and to live his life so that God was magnified through him.

The believers stayed up all night praying for Peter yet Peter slept. You might ask why Peter was able to remain so calm in the midst of the storm and Peter’s reply would most likely be that God’s grace was sufficient for him. God gave Peter peace and Peter pleased God by not worrying about what tomorrow was going to bring.

It is not always easy to do, but God desires that in the midst of the storm that you lay aside the cares of this world and learn to rely upon HIM. God’s strength is sufficient for your daily life. Jesus taught you not to worry about what tomorrow will bring. Instead, cast your cares upon HIM for HE does care for you.

You need to follow the example of Peter who when trials arose in his life, he did not allow his trials to control him but instead, he allow God to show HIMSELF strong on his behalf. Peter had changed. Peter no longer worried about his life. Peter simply desired to do the will of God so he waited for God to make HIS will perfectly clear.

Worry is a natural reaction when things are out of your control. However, when you add virtue to your life, you put on the mind of Christ, you have now changed the way you think so that God receives the glory for your life. When you learn to think upon the things of God, your actions will be different and God will be glorified through your
life. You cannot afford to allow worry to control your mind, instead, learn to follow the example of Peter who allowed the storms to rage while HE set his mind upon the things of God.

Daniel 3:17-18 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. 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.

Nebuchadnezzar made a golden image that was approximately 90 feet tall. He ordered that upon the sound of the music playing, everyone was to bow down to the golden image. Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah refused to bow down to the image as they were ordered. The king was going to give Daniel’s three friends a second chance at bowing down to his golden image. However, when Hananiah, Mishael and Azariah told the king that they were not going to bow down to a false god the second chance was taken away. The king commanded that the fiery furnace be made seven times hotter.

Nebuchadnezzar had Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah bound and thrown into the furnace. The furnace was so hot that the men who threw Daniel�s three friends into furnace died. After being thrown into the fire, Nebuchadnezzar saw four men in the fire walking around and he commented that the fourth was like the Son of God. Nebuchadnezzar called Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah out of the fire and it was determined that the fire had no power over them. The smell of fire could not even be discerned.

Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah put their faith in God to deliver them from death and God rewarded their faith. Daniel’s three friends acknowledged that God might not save them and that they were willing to be martyrs for God’s cause. Nonetheless, God determined that the sparing of the lives of these three men would be a greater influence upon Babylon then allowing these men to die for their faith. These three men feared God more then they feared the king and as such, they desired to please God and risk their lives rather then please a man and displease their Maker.

While you may never be asked to bow down to a golden image or be thrown into a fiery furnace, you will throughout your life have an opportunity to make a stand for the cause of Christ. The question will become, what is important to you, your relationship with God or your relationship with man. Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah had the faith to put their relationship with God as their number one priority. They trusted God to take care of them and HE did protect them. God protected these three men in such a way that they did not receive the glory but God received the glory for protecting those who served HIM.

From time to time, you may be asked to compromise your standards. Will you be bold and do that which is right in the eyes of God? Will you submit your life, your reputation or your fortune to the hands of God and allow HIM to control the direction of your life. When you compromise, you are taking matters into your hands and showing your lack of faith in God’s direction for your life.

By faith, you can trust God to see you through the most difficult trials. God is looking for individuals who will be willing to stand up and allow their lives to be an example to those around them of the power of God. God does not need cowards who are more concerned about themselves. God needs individuals who will have the faith to trust HIM and allow HIM to direct their paths. Will you please God by completely trusting in HIM?

Daniel 2:16 Then Daniel went in, and desired of the king that he would give him time, and that he would show the king the interpretation.

Nebuchadnezzar had a dream. He called his magicians, astrologers, the sorcerers, and the Chaldeans and requested that they tell him the meaning of his dream. Nebuchadnezzar refused to tell the dream because he had forgotten it. All the men who the king had asked to tell him the dream insisted that if the king told them his dream, then they would be able to interpret the dream. Because these men could not tell him his dream, he made a decree to kill all the wise men. Daniel and his three friends were included in this group.

Daniel understood that his life was in danger so he requested the king to give him time. Daniel understood that he served a living God who could tell him the dream. Daniel went back to his house and met with Hananih, Mishael, and Azariah. The four men prayed that God would show them the dream and the interpretation. God revealed to Daniel the dream and the interpretation through a night vision. Daniel then worshiped God.

Daniel and his three friends lives were spared because they were willing to come before God and ask HIM to do the impossible through them so that God might be glorified through them. They served a living God and they were willing to ask God to do the impossible through them so that HE might be glorified. When Daniel told Nebuchadnezzar his dream, God was the One who was glorified through Daniel.

Daniel and his three friends had the faith to approach God and ask God to show them the dream of Nebuchadnezzar. They understood that it was God who gave the king his dream so thus HE could tell them what the dream was and its interpretation. Daniel did not see an impossible task; instead, he saw an opportunity for God to be glorified in a heathen land. The other wise men of Babylon saw an impossible situation because they served gods that were dead who could not communicate to them. Because they served dead gods, they lost their lives.

If you were in Babylon and the king said, tell me my dream or die, would you have the faith to ask God to show you the dream knowing that HE would show you the dream? You may profess to serve the same God as Daniel, but do you believe that this same God can do the impossible through you? All Daniel did was ask God for the dream believing that God would show him the dream. Daniel and his three friends did not have any doubt that God would hear their prayers and answer them.

The difference between you and Daniel is that Daniel knew he was serving a living God and Daniel was willing to be used by God to demonstrate to a nation that there was a living God who could do the impossible. When was the last time you were willing to demonstrate to this nation or the world that God is alive and that you are HIS servant? Do you have the faith to see God work through you?

Faith requires you understand who God is and that HE is the same yesterday, today, and forever. Faith requires that you understand that God desires to be glorified through your life. You must be willing to be used of God. You must understand that God can do the impossible and that HE can do it through you.