Our Daily Bread Today 29 November 2021 Devotional Message By Lisa M. Samra (Our Daily Bread Ministries)
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Topic: Trusting God in Opposition
Today’s Scripture: Daniel 3:13–18,25–27
Key Verse: But even if he does not . . . we will not serve your gods or worship the image of gold you have set up. – Daniel 3:18
Bible in a Year: Ezekiel 35–36; 2 Peter 1
Today’s Insight: Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego (Daniel 3:12) were no strangers to adversity. Ripped from their homes in Judah and dragged into exile, they may have seen family members abused and killed. They’d likely suffered abuse themselves, and now they resided in a culture hostile to the one true God. Yet all this adversity seemed only to strengthen their faith. When they respectfully defied the king (vv. 16–18), Nebuchadnezzar took their refusal personally, intensifying his anger. Yet the three remained resolute, revering God alone.
Our Daily Bread Today 29 November 2021 Devotional Message
Raised in a tribe in the Philippines opposed to belief in Christ, Esther received salvation through Jesus after an aunt prayed for her during Esther’s battle with a life-threatening illness. Today, Esther leads Bible studies in her local community in spite of threats of violence and even death. She serves joyfully, saying, “I can’t stop telling people about Jesus because I’ve experienced the power, love, goodness, and faithfulness of God in my life.”
Serving God in the face of opposition is a reality for many today just as it was for Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, three young Israelites living in captivity in Babylon. In the book of Daniel, we learn that they refused to pray to a large golden image of King Nebuchadnezzar even when threatened with death. The men testified that God was capable of protecting them, but they chose to serve Him “even if” He didn’t rescue them (Daniel 3:18). When they were thrown into the fire, God actually joined them in their suffering (v. 25). To everyone’s amazement, they survived without even “a hair of their heads singed” (v. 27).
If we face suffering or persecution for an act of faith, ancient and modern examples remind us that God’s Spirit is present with us to strengthen and sustain us when we choose to obey Him, “even if” things turn out differently than we hope.
Reflect: What are some ways you’ve chosen to follow God “even if”? What are ways He’s been with you?
Pray: God, thank You for loving me so generously. Help me to follow You with joy even in the face of opposition.
Our Daily Bread Today 29 November 2021 Devotional | ODB Ministries Message. Our Daily Bread Ministries (ODB) is a Christian organization founded by Dr. Martin De Haan in 1938. It is based in Grand Rapids, Michigan, with over 600 employees. It produces several devotional publications, including Our Daily Bread.