A Daily Choice

Every day we’re faced with thousands of choices, including this one: We can choose to do what God tells us to do in His Word, or we can disregard it.

When we do what God tells us to do and make the right choices (and they’re not always easy), He will bless us. And when we don’t choose the right things, we’ll face the consequences.

God says in Deuteronomy, “I call heaven and earth as witnesses today against you, that I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing; therefore choose life, that both you and your descendants may live” (30:19 NKJV).

Daniel made the right choices again and again and again. He influenced many people, including his friends Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego. When King Nebuchadnezzar erected a giant, gold-covered image and told the entire kingdom to worship it, everyone complied. Everyone, that is, except these three men.

And even when the king gave them another chance, they refused. They said, “If we are thrown into the blazing furnace, the God whom we serve is able to save us. He will rescue us from your power, Your Majesty. But even if he doesn’t, we want to make it clear to you, Your Majesty, that we will never serve your gods or worship the gold statue you have set up” (Daniel 3:17–18 NLT).

They stood on principle. And when the king had them thrown into that furnace, God delivered them.

Maybe you’re going through a fiery trial of your own right now. Maybe you’re facing a very hard set of circumstances. Here’s what the Bible says: “Dear friends, don’t be surprised at the fiery trials you are going through, as if something strange were happening to you” (1 Peter 4:12 NLT).

You’re not alone. God will be with you in your fiery trial.