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not prepared

Daniel 3:19-23 (JDV)

Daniel 3:19 Then Nebuchadnezzar was filled with rage, and the expression on his face changed toward Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego. He gave orders to heat the furnace seven times more than was customary,
Daniel 3:20 and he commanded some of the best soldiers in his army to tie up Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego and throw them into the furnace of blazing fire.
Daniel 3:21 Then these men, in their trousers, robes, head coverings, and other clothes, were tied up and thrown into the furnace of blazing fire.
Daniel 3:22 Since the king’s command was so urgent and the furnace extremely hot, the raging flames killed those men who carried Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego up.
Daniel 3:23 And these three men, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego fell, tied up, into the furnace of blazing fire.

not prepared

These three protesters were not prepared for the wrath of the king. That momentous day of testing had arrived, and they were dressed usually. There was nothing they could do to prepare for it. The time came, and only God could make a difference.

I am comforted by that fact. On those days when I feel most prepared for what is coming next, I experience a humbling. But when I choose to trust God in spite of being overwhelmed, I am blessed with an awareness of his presence.