Fiery, Furry, Food

In seminary we refer to three of the story's in Daniel as Fiery, Furry, Food.  Food = Daniel & friends refusing to eat the King's food.  Fire = Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego in the fiery furnace.  Furry = Daniel in the Lion's Den.

But there are other lessons from these story's than the ones we learned in Primary. 

FOOD:  Yes, Daniel and his friends taught us about living the Word of Wisdom.   After 10 days, "their countenances appeared fairer".  But did you realize they also were given "knowledge and skill in all learning and wisdom: and Daniel had understanding in all visions and dreams."  (Daniel 1:15,17)  That's some pretty mighty blessings!  Those blessings go well beyond just the physical!  Our creator knows what is best for our bodies and what's best for us mentally and spiritually too.

FIRE:  Yes, the Lord will bless us when we stand up for him when the heat is on.  But the fact that "the fire had no power, nor was an hair of their head singed" is only part of the story. Although a mighty miracle, it's not the real lesson.  The real lesson is in Daniel 3:17, 18, when they tell the King, Our Lord, "he will deliver us out of thine hand, O king, BUT IF NOT....." 

The lesson is in the three words, "But if not."  They were going to be faithful and true whether or not the Lord saved them.  They didn't know if He would.  It didn't matter what the consequence would be.  They were going to do what was right anyway.  Physical death didn't matter as long as they didn't die spiritually.  What faith! 

"Our God will deliver us from ridicule and persecution, but if not.....
Our God will deliver us from sickness and disease, but if not......
He will deliver us from loneliness, depression, or fear, but if not.....
Our God will deliver us from threats, accusations, and insecurity, but if not.......
He will deliver us from death or impairment of loved ones, but if not......

WE WILL TRUST THE LORD.  We will have faith that in His time, and in His way, we will be delivered and receive all that He has."    Elder Dennis E. Simmons, Ensign May 2004.

FURRY:  Yes, the lesson is that we can be kept safe when all around us is danger.  But aren't we today put in a "den of lions" when we have to stand by our beliefs about, say, marriage as defined by God? We may have consequences similar to lions surrounding us. Mocking us.  Pushing us around.  Looking like they are going to eat us alive!  But as Daniel was not devoured, we can withstand our lions, too.  And just as the King was watching Daniel, there are people watching us. After Daniel was removed from the lion's den unscathed, the King declared that Daniel's God "is the living God, and steadfast for ever. That every domino\ion of my kingdom men tremble and fear before the God of Daniel."  Facing our "lions" will bring others to Christ.  "Thy God whom thou servest continually, He will deliver thee."  (Daniel 6:16)

I love Daniel, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abendago!  If you want to see a great artist's depiction of these 4, look in the May 2016 New Era.  Their examples's from @ 630 BC are still relevant today.  We can obey, trust, and face our lions.