Scenero One
King Nebuchadnezzar, the King of Babylon, issued a decree that the people serve his gods and worship the golden image that he had set up when they hear the sound of the horn, pipe and music. Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego refused to obey the order, They were brought before the King who was furious. He commanded  that these men   be put into the firey furnace. The King offered them another chance to obey his order, but Shadrach, Meshach and Abedengo said to the King "If you cast us in the fiery furnace our God is able to deliver us from the fiery furnace. BUT IF NOT, we will not serve your gods or worship the golden image which you have set up." (Daniel 3:17-18 paraphrased)

Scenario Two
The Prophet Habakkuk, sees the plight of the people and  his own situation as gloom. Listen to his complaint: "How long, O Lord, must I call for help, but you do not listen? Or cry out to you, "violence!"  but you do not save? Why do you make me look at injustice?"
In the face of these things: hard times, violence and envisioned doom, he offers this prayer which is his resolve, "Although the fig tree shall not blossom, neither shall fruit be in the vines;  the labor of the olive shall fail, and  the fields shall yield no meat; the flock shall be cut off from the fold, and there shall be no herd in the stall," YET I WILL rejoice in the Lord. I will joy in the God of my salvation."  (Habakkuk 3:17-18)

Paradigm for Faith Living
These two scenarios about three Hebrews and a Prophet provide a surefire paradigm for pleasing God and experiencing joy in living. The Hebrews were delivered and the Prophet discovered that "the just shall live by faith." The lesson is clear and the challenge is for everyone who desires to please God. This is a faith journey.It's goiing to get better and sweeter. It has to. This is God's promise: "Eyes have not seen, ears have not heard and it has not entered into the hearts of men the things God has prepared for those who love Him." Hallelujah! Hallelujah! Hallelujah!
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If it be so, our God whom we serve
is able to deliver us from the burning
fiery furnace; and he will deliver us
out of your hand, o king. But if not,
be it known to you, o King, that we
will not serve your gods or worship
the golden image which you have set up.
                       (Daniel 3:17-18)

Although the fig tree shall not blossom,
neither shall fruit be in the vines: the labor
of the olive shall fail, and the fields shall
yield no meat; the flock shall be cut off from
the fold, and there shall be no herd in the
stalls; Yet I will rejoice in the Lord, I will joy
in the God of my salvation. 
                          (Hab. 3:17-18)

(Please note: Music for these two Scriptures has been composed by this author. You can sing or chant these songs as you are moved to by the spirit. Music can be obtained from the composer.)

Copyright 2011 by Uriah J. Fields

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