17th. November. 2020. Daily Devotion.

Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego answered the king, “Nebuchadnezzar, we don’t need to explain these things to you. If you throw us into the hot furnace, the God we serve can save us. And if he wants to, he can save us from your power. But even if God does not save us, we want you to know, King, that we refuse to serve your gods. We will not worship the gold idol you have set up.”~ Daniel 3:16-18

A heart-warming story from Jenny Calvert

I was doing my daily walk in the morning at a local park. I always enjoy seeing other bike riders, runners, and walkers. On this particular day I saw a man going around the track with a walker. He did it not just once, but twice while I was there. No telling how many times he went around before I arrived. I was so impressed that when I reached him, I caught his attention and said, “You sir, are an inspiration.”

He then proceeded to tell me his story. He said that in 1994 he had brain surgery on a tumour behind his eye. It left him with an equilibrium issue, so walking helped. He went on to say that the day of the surgery, was a day he will never forget because his life was forever changed.

He made a deal with God the day of the surgery. He said, “God, if you will let this not be cancer, I will turn my life around and serve you.” When he woke from his surgery he heard a voice say, “A deal is a deal.” He was in and out of consciousness but heard a knock at the door. When he said, “Come in,” a man approached whom he had never seen before, and introduced himself as a pastor, asking if he could pray for him. He prayed, then left. He told me that he thought it was a dream.

God had answered Shadrach’s prayer, and the tumour was benign. He was reminded of the deal he made with God. After recuperating, he went to church. When he went through the doors, there stood the very preacher that had come to visit him in the hospital.

After telling me his intriguing story, I asked him, “What is your name?” He politely answered, “Shadrach! You know, like Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego.” And with a huge smile he said, “I have never been the same since. I gave up smoking, drinking, and started going to church. I have been serving the Lord ever since that day.”

I asked if I could take his picture and write a devotional telling his story. With that same wide smile, he replied, “Yes!” So this is the story of the day I met Shadrach. He told of how he went through a fiery furnace of sorts, and came out on the other side, healed and cleansed. The tumour was gone, and so was the dirt and grime in his spiritual life due to the cleansing power of Jesus. Shadrach has a balance problem, yet his spiritual life is in perfect balance.

The Bible tells of three men, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, who refused to worship the golden idol, which was ordered by king Nebuchadnezzar. Refusal meant death in a furnace of fire. These men did not know if they would come unscathed on the other side of the furnace experience, but they stood firm in their decision to serve the true God.

The Shadrach that I met, takes steps with perseverance, holding onto that walker. With endurance, He also walks in determinate faith that the Lord is holding him by his hand. Shadrach chose Jesus. We must choose today, whom we will serve.
Dear Jesus, I choose you today! Amen

For the Spirit of Prayer

Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in your sight, oh Lord. Let your Holy Spirit guide me in my prayer and in thought and grant me the grace to listen and hear your Word. Soften my heart, that I may be directed by your truth, and not the devices of my body and mind. In the name of Christ, I ask this, Amen

At this chaotic time, I receive  and pass on the balm of Jesus’ promise in John 14, choosing to trust him in this life and also in the one to come: ‘Do not let your hearts be troubled,’ says Jesus. ‘You believe in God; believe also in me. My Father’s house has many rooms; if that were not so, would I have told you that I am going there to prepare a place for you? And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me, that you also may be where I am.’ Father, help me to live this day to the full, being true to You, in every way. Jesus, help me to give myself away to others, being kind to everyone I meet. Spirit, help me to love the lost, proclaiming Christ in all I do and say. Amen.