It’s Friday, September 12th, 2025. The recent assassination of Charlie Kirk shook us all. On one hand, we grieve the loss of a voice that fearlessly stood for truth. On the other, his death reminds us that the cost of faithfulness has never been higher. The fiery furnaces of our day may not always be built of brick and flame, but they are every bit as real — demanding that we bow to fear, compromise, or silence. Daniel 3 shows us what it looks like to stand with a faith that says, “Even if He doesn’t…”
Today's Reading:
Daniel 3,4; Psalms 81; Revelation 17
Scripture
“Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego replied to him, ‘King 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 deliver us from it, and he will deliver us from Your Majesty’s hand. But even if he does not, we want you to know, Your Majesty, that we will not serve your gods or worship the image of gold you have set up.’” (Daniel 3:16-18)
Observation
Nebuchadnezzar’s image was fear-based submission disguised as worship. Most bowed, not out of belief, but out of pressure. Yet three young men stood. Their response is the heart of faith:
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Faith doesn’t panic. “We do not need to defend ourselves.”
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Faith believes God is able. “The God we serve is able to deliver us.”
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Faith is not conditional. “Even if He does not…”
“We will not bow.” That’s faith in God alone. And in the fire, the true miracle wasn’t that they were untouched by the flames, it was that Jesus was there with them.
Application
In these last days, the cost of truth will grow steeper—but the presence of Christ will grow sweeter. Like those three in Babylon, and like Charlie in our day, we are called to stand when everyone else bows. But in those moments, we’re not standing alone. Jesus himself is with us. God may deliver me from the fire, but even if He doesn’t, His presence is the miracle.
Prayer
Lord, steady my heart. Teach me to stand when it would be easier to kneel. Keep me from compromise, from silence, from fear. I lift up the Kirk family—surround them with Your comfort and peace. I pray for our nation, shaken and divided, that the light of the Gospel would break through. The fire is growing hotter, and the urgency to reach the lost is greater than ever. Thank You that the flames cannot take what matters most—Your presence with us. That is our courage. That is our peace. Amen.
-Chris Kiriakos