CALLED FOR SUCH A TIME AS THIS
ARE YOU FACING A NEBUCHADNEZZAR?
by Patricia Hamel
The Lord sees that many of you are going through tests, trials
and afflictions and that you are very burdened. He also says
that there will be a Divine ending to them as you stand there
in the fire and are faithful. With it He will also make a way
out that you can bear what you are going through! There will
be an expected end and the glory will go to the Lord! The Lord
says that He has refined you but not as silver and it is He who
has allowed you to be tested in the furnace of affliction.
The refining work being done in your life is separating you from
this world. For too long there has been a mixture and He is
calling you to a high standard of the Word of God. One day you
will stand before Him and give an account for all that you do
and say! As you go through these tests and trials and are found
faithful you will come to a new level. God does not intend you
to stay where you are but grow through the things that you suffer.
All those that live Godly in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution.
We are told to be joyous in our trials and testings. This is some-
times easier said than done! smile
My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers
temptations;Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh
patience. James1: 2,3
Wherefore let them that suffer according to the will of God
commit the keeping of their souls to him in well doing, as unto
a faithful Creator.1 Peter 4:19
Let’s take a look at the children of Israel. They had been taken
into captivity. Daniel and his friends, Shadrach, Meshach and
Abednego now found themselves in the court of King
Nebuchadnezzar. Perhaps you are facing a Nebuchadnezzar today!
The Lord wants you to know that He is standing with you! These
men were gifted in wisdom, knowledge and were quick to under-
stand. God give us your wisdom and help us to be quick to
understand and discern the times we are living in today! Let us
rightly divide the Word of Truth.
Temptation was placed before them and they were offered the
kings delicacies. What is the enemy offering you to bow down
before him? Daniel purposed in his heart that He would keep
himself pure and you need to keep yourself pure in the hour of
temptation. Men feared the king but we are to fear no one. We
walk in the fear of the Lord! Daniel took a stand and you will
be required to take one. Perhaps you will need to choose to walk
in the integrity of your heart. Each person’s battle is different
but we are told that all of our brothers and sisters go through
them. We are not alone in being tested and tried.
Thou hast proved mine heart; thou hast visited me in the night;
thou hast tried me, and shalt find nothing; I am purposed that my
mouth shall not transgress. Psalm 17:3
The first battle after being in the king’s palace was one that only
lasted ten days and it was one where they chose not to eat of the
kings food but eat that which the Lord had placed before them. We
need to partake of the Lord’s table. They stood the test and at
the end of the ten days looked better than those that had eaten
the kings meat. Choosing God in the smaller battles will help us
to choose Him in the larger ones to come. They soon faced a
bigger battle. The king had a dream and threatened to kill those
that could not interpret it. The test soon arrived at Daniels door
and instead of backing down he asked to see the king. He asked
for time and did not just speak the first thing out of His mouth.
He was a man of wisdom. Daniel shared it with His friends
Hananiah,Mishael,Azariah. We are told to bear one another’s
burdens and so fulfill the law of Christ. Use wisdom with whom
you share but ask the Lord for one of like precious faith in whom
you can trust! They sought God for His mercy concerning
the secret and God revealed it to Daniel in a night vision. God
can choose to speak to you in many ways so be open to how He
wants to speak to you and close no door! It may be through His
Word, or a friend or a dream or vision or any avenue God chooses.
The Lord knows how to reach you in your hour of need. He gives
wisdom to the wise and also to those that ask for it without
doubting. God made know the answer to Daniel and He will make
known to you what you need to know to fight the battle.
Daniel was given the interpretation and we are told that there
is a God in heaven who reveals secrets. We see that the king
saw who God was at that moment and said truly your God is the
God of gods. Oh that those we are in contact with would know
that our God is the one true God and Jesus in His name!
Promotion came after victory! This is a time when you need to
be ALERT and aware of what is going on! Stay close to the
Lord and when you are rejoicing over your victory REMAIN
VIGILANT because your enemy like a roaring lion is seeking
whom he may devour. Do not let him devour you!
Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the
Spirit,and watching thereunto with all perseverance and
supplication for all saints; Ephesians 6:18
Daniel placed his friends over the affairs of Babylon and
he sat at the gate of the King. We need to sit at the gate
in intercession even after the victory. It was not long and
the king built a statue of gold and summoned all to come and
bow down before it.What is the enemy trying to get you to bow
down to? Is there something that He is trying to pressure you
into doing? Resist him and he will flee from you!
Put on the whole armor of God, that ye may be able to stand
against the wiles of the devil. Ephesians 6:11
We need to speak words of faith from our mouth
and those faith filled word will keep us in the
trial. They said OUR GOD IS ABLE TO DELIVER US
from the burning fiery furnace, but if not we will
not serve your gods. Taking a stand is at times
difficult but for the child of God there is no
other option. The fire was increased to seven times
hotter but we see that it was an opportunity for
the Lord to work. Seven is God’s number. He was
there in the fire. He is with you and will take you
through whatever you are going through!
When thou passest through the waters, I will be with thee;
and through the rivers, they shall not overflow thee: when thou
walkest through the fire, thou shalt not be burned; neither shall
the flame kindle upon thee. Isaiah 43:2
When you pass through the fire you will not be burned! Glory
to God! You may be feeling the heat but you are being refined
in the fire and will come out of it as gold tried in the fire.
God is doing a refining work in your life. They were cast into
the fire but were not in it alone. There was one like the Son
of God there in the midst! The Lord is standing there with you
in your fiery furnace today! He is that close to you. See Him
there with you in the middle of what you are going through
today! The moment will come when the test will be over.
But who may abide the day of his coming? and who shall stand
when he appeareth? for he is like a refiner's fire, and like
fullers' soap:
And he shall sit as a refiner and purifier of silver:
and he shall purify the sons of Levi, and purge them as gold
and silver, that they may offer unto the LORD an offering in
righteousness. Malachi 3: 2,3
Let Him do the necessary work in you!
