VERSE:
If we are thrown into the blazing furnace, the God we serve is able to save us from it, and he will rescue us from your hand, O king. But even if he does not, we want you to know, O king, that we will not serve your gods or worship the image of gold you have set up.
—Daniel 3:17

THOUGHT:
Faith! That is the best word to describe this response from the 3 Hebrew boys who refused to bow before a false god. They said “our God is able to save us, and He will save us”. One might ask “but what about when they said ‘even if He does not save us’? Isn’t that speaking in doubt?” No! They were not using God as a means, but recognized that God is an end. In other words, they knew that God was going to rescue them, but their focus was not in them being rescued. Their focus was on God being glorified even if it meant their agonizing death.

I heard a great quote that directly relates to this passage: “if it’s not worth dying for, it’s not worth living for”. Praise the Lord that I serve a God worth dying for!

APPLICATION:
Think about where God is in your life. Is He a means, or is He an end? Are you using God to accomplish a certain end result; or are you focused on glorifying Him whatever the cost? Upon meditating this, make it up in your mind that your whole existence and everything you do is going to be for the glory of God.

PRAYER:
Father God, I confess that at times I have thought of you as a means to accomplish a selfish end result. I pray that you give me a mindset that keeps your glory the main focal point in my life. Use my thoughts, my words, my actions and deeds for your glory. In Jesus’ Name I pray, AMEN!