PERSUADED ATTITUDE

Long ago there were three Hebrews who lived righteous lives, yet things didn't go so well for them. They encountered evil, but rather than succumb like everyone else around them, they challenged their situation. At first matters only became worse, but in the end they came through smelling like roses.

Life isn't easy, and sometimes it deals you a rotten hand. Don't succumb to the weight of it all; find hope in the story of Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego. Because what you need is a miracle in the fire.

An attitude can be as a positive or negative evaluation of people, objects, events, activities, and ideas. It could be concrete, abstract or just about anything in your environment. It can also be said as a way of thinking or feeling about something .It all about vantage point or frame of mind . How is your attitude ?  When you are threatened , how do you react , do you succumb to pressure ? 

Perhaps we can learn something from the story of the these Hebrews guys as summarised: 

King Nebuchadnezzar reacts in anger to the stand taken by the three Hebrew boys and determines to destroy them in the fiery furnace.  He orders them bound up and cast into a furnace heated some seven times hotter than it was normally heated.  The fire is so hot that it slays the men who toss them into the fire.  These guys even when threatened with a horrible death, refused to bend or to bow.  They take their stand in spite of the personal cost.  

When you read the account of Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego in Daniel 3 as summarised above,  one thing is apparent: they were fully persuaded. Nothing could make 

them bow to Nebuchadnezzar's statue - no threats, no consequence, no punishment. They were fully persuaded of the promises of God and in their obedience to him (Daniel 3:16-18).

If life has pushed you too far, it is time to rise up with the attitude of Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego - an attitude where you are fully persuaded.

 God can educate me...Even if he does t , I will not bow down.

 God can promote me...Even if he doesn't , I will not bow down

 God can grow my business...Even if he doesn't , I will not bow down .

 God can restore my marriage... Even if he doesn't, I will not bow down.

 God will cause me to prosper... Even if he doesn't, I will not bow down.

Things may be heating up in your life - divorce, jobless, family problems , relationship issues ,custody battles, sickness, mental illness etc .  You took a stand for God but things just got worse. You found yourself staring down a fire. A fire like none you've seen. You thought God would save you from the fire. You prayed God would save you from the fire. But it remains. 

Don't despair. Because when the devil turns up the heat, God does too.Remember what the Lord said: But now, thus says the Lord, who created you, O Jacob, And he who formed you, O Israel: “Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by your name; 

You are mine. When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; And through the rivers, 

they shall not overflow you. When you walk through the fire, you shall not be burned, nor shall the flame scorch you” (Isaiah 43:1-2).

God may choose not to save you from the fire but He will bring you through it. When you walk through the fire of cancer, sickness, divorce, financial ruin, career problem , school issues, family issue etc  - you shall not be burned.

Nebuchadnezzar made the fire so hot it killed some of his strongest soldiers (Daniel 3:22). Fire is deadly - for some. But you will not be truly burned. If you are fully persuaded of the promises of God, you will not be destroyed.

You expected the miracle outside the fire. You thought God would save you before things went that far. But for you, the miracle is in the fire.

When Nebuchadnezzar threw Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego into the fire, their chains broke, Jesus walked with them, and they did not smell of smoke (Daniel 3:24-27).

When you walk through the fire, chains will break. Satan has used your situation to keep
you living a small and contained life. No longer! Chains break in the fire.

According to the promise of Isaiah 43, Jesus will walk with you in the fire. Whatever the trouble or trial may be, you will have a tangible sense of his presence. Jesus reveals himself in the fire. Watch for deeper revelation and worship experiences in your life.

God can rescue me from any diseases any any situations, Even if he doesn't, I will not give up and bow down to the devil with his crooked ways !