J-Boy April 6

Sunday marked the 40th day of hospitalization for Jeremiah. There was great expectation by Marlo, Jean and many of us that he would rise, fully restored, and be completely healed on that day. That day has come and gone, Jeremiah remains asleep, and yet we are not discouraged! For on Sunday morning, God impressed upon Jean the message of Daniel 3:15-18:

King Nebuchadnezzar’s attempts to force Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego, the faithful men of God, to bow down and worship the idol he had created failed miserably. And he declared,

“But if you do not worship it, you will be thrown immediately into a blazing furnace. Then what god will be able to rescue you from my hand?” Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego replied to the king, “O Nebuchadnezzar, we do not need to defend ourselves before you in this matter. 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 3:15-18).

Marlo and Jean have embraced this word from the LORD and have found peace in knowing that the will of God will be accomplished. They refuse to bow down to the gods of disbelief, discouragement, anxiety, and fear but instead chose to put their faith in God – the true God, the God of mercy, compassion, grace and unending love.

If we continue to read Daniel’s account of Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego and the fiery furnace, we learn that God sent an angel to accompany them in the furnace and rescued them from all harm … “the fire had not harmed their bodies, nor was a hair of their heads singed; their robes were not scorched, and there was no smell of fire on them” (Daniel 3:27). The king and all his wise men were confounded! And the king responded, “Praise be to the God of Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego, who has sent his angel and rescued his servants! They trusted in him and defied the king’s command and were willing to give up their lives rather than serve or worship any god except their own God. Therefore I decree that the people of any nation or language who say anything against the God of Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego be cut into pieces and their houses be turned into piles of rubble, for no other god can save in this way” (Daniel 3:28-29).

The King of Kings was glorified on that day and we stand with Marlo and Jean eagerly anticipating His glory revealed through Jeremiah’s life.

Thank you for you faithfulness to continue to lift the Abalos family up in prayer. As you continue to petition the LORD for healing for Jeremiah, please pray for Marlo and Jean … that they will be blessed with fresh God encounters daily … He is indeed their strength!