November 12th | Daniel 3

There is a psychological reaction to a threat known as the fight-or-flight response. When faced with an aggressor coming their way, some people will choose to fight. They will stand their ground and fight against that aggressor. There is also another group of people who choose flight. They run from the aggressor. Fight or flight response is something that can be translated to our spiritual lives. Rather than fight or flight, it can be called faith or fright. When faced with an impossible situation, will you be filled with faith or filled with fright?

Three men, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, faced an impossible situation with a powerful aggressor approaching them. King Nebuchanezzar declared that all must bow and worship his golden statue. When these faithful Hebrew men failed to worship this false god because they trusted in Yahweh, their actions were reported to Nebuchadnezzar. The king was furious and demanded their worship. They had a moment to decide, would they be filled with faith or fright?

Daniel 3:16-18, “ 16 Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego answered and said to the king, “O Nebuchadnezzar, we have no need to answer you in this matter. 17 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. 18 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.”

They chose faith! Now, could their actions be considered fight instead of flight? Indeed, those sounded like fighting words to Nebuchadnezzar! However, we should view it as faith because their trust was not in their ability to win the battle. Instead, their faith was in the power of their God. Did you catch verse 17? “Our God… is able to deliver us.” Their trust wasn’t in themselves but in the power of their God. 

What terrible or impossible situation are you facing in this life? What hardships are you enduring? What aggressor is headed your way? If you are struggling, don’t fight in your own strength and don’t be filled with fright. Instead, be filled with faith. Faith not in yourself but in God. He can defeat anyone who stands in your way. He can work a miracle in the middle of an impossible situation. Be filled with faith in the might and power of almighty God! Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego put their faith in God, and look what happened. 

Daniel 3:24-25, “Then King Nebuchadnezzar was astonished and rose up in haste. He declared to his counselors, “Did we not cast three men bound into the fire?” They answered and said to the king, “True, O king.” 25 He answered and said, “But I see four men unbound, walking in the midst of the fire, and they are not hurt; and the appearance of the fourth is like a son of the gods.”

Not only were they not burned by the flames, but God met them in the fire. He walked with them through it and protected them. What fire do you need to walk through today? Be filled with faith and not fright because your great God is with you to walk with you. Put your faith in Him today!