FAITH CAPSULE: It is one thing to confess faith; it is another to take a stand on the confession of faith.

Daniel 3

Whatever you behold or look that generates fear in you will lock your faith down from rising up. The children of Israel were pursued by the Egyptians after their freedom from bondage. As the Egyptians drew near, with no way of escape, “…the children of Israel lifted their eyes, and behold, the Egyptian marched after them. So they were very afraid, and the children of Israel cried out to the Lord.” (Exodus 14:10) When they behold their enemy, fear took over. What are you beholding or looking up to? One of the best weapons against the enemy or threat that attempts to bring down a believer is not to behold or look at the face of the enemy or threat before us. Daniel’s three friends in captivity, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-Nego already violated the law of King Nebuchadnezzar by not worshiping his golden image. The three friends knew that judgment was already in place and they were confident that they would not look away from their God. It is one thing to confess faith; it is another to take a stand on the confession of faith in the face of a cruel death, such as being delivered into a furnace of fire. They were brought face to face with Nebuchadnezzar, Daniel 3:19, “Then Nebuchadnezzar was full of fury, and the expression on his face changed toward Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-Nego. He spoke and commanded that they heat the furnace seven times more than it was usually heated.” The fullness of fury in the eyes of Nebuchadnezzar and the command that described how the furnace was to be kept burning was not enough for the bulging of the three friends of Daniel. Have you been looking too much into the face of your confrontation, health and financial challenges? What you need to be doing is keeping on a standstill position. A position and a ground that is based on the awesomeness power of God. The Bible records that the three friends fell down in the midst of the burning fire (Daniel 3:23) yet they could not be buried by the fire because they stood on a ground of faith that could not fail. The flame and the flame generators were consumed by their flame while the three friends of Daniel walked out neat without any stain or smell of the fire. God is still in the business of undeniable miracles if we will take an undeniable stand in the power of His Word. Moses’ response to the children of Israel speaks to all in the face of confronting challenge, “…do not be afraid. Stand still, and see the salvation of the LORD, which He will accomplish for you today. For the Egyptians whom you see today, you shall see again no more forever.” (Exodus 14:13)   

Prayer for today: Ask for the termination of all that represents Egyptians in your life.