Sermon Central
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Strength To Stand
Contributed by David Dewitt on Apr 25, 2004 (message contributor)
Summary: We are called to live a life that is filled with God’s strength so we can take our stand in this life.
God Relieves the Situation (Read verses 24-27)
Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego are rescued from the furnace because the flames and the fire do not harm them. In fact they don’t even smell like smoke.
God brought strength to these three men and He can do the same for you. God is in the business of giving strength to the weak, overcoming the powerful with the powerless and defeating evil by doing good. God’s power has never diminished and His faithfulness changes. God has the ultimate strength training program and it starts with trusting Him.
God gets the Glory (Read Verses 28-30)
Nebuchadnezzer gives God the credit for saving Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego, Not only does he acknowledge God’s power but he makes a powerful decree that no one in all of the Babylonian empire could speak against God.
Nebuchadnezzer stood in awe of God’s power on display and he was fearful of that power. God took this horrid situation gave Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego, the strength to stand and brought glory and honor ro His name.
What has changed about God since that day until today? Nothing!
So, how should we handle the struggles of life?
1. Recognize the need to stand
We need to understand that a hurting world is watching us especially through the tough times in life. It is when life gets rough that we need to stand for Jesus the most. It is in the hard times that our faith reveals it’s true worth
If you won’t stand up for Jesus who will?
2. Remember who is in control
In the rough spots of life, we need to remember who is in control and its not you or me. We need to forget trying to control the day to day moments of life because they are out of our hands.
3. Rely on god for strength
We need to acknowledge our desperate need for the strength that only God can provide. The world can only separate you from God if you allow it because God provides all of the strength and support that we need for every situation of life. God will not guide where He will not provide. When we allow God to work through us, he will bring strength to our lives, rest for our souls and glory to His name!
