The knowledge of the truth gives boldness in the face of oppression and intimidation. Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego were not afraid of the threat of being cast into the burning fiery furnace, because they knew that God could deliver them. It was the knowledge of God's word that strengthened them at the hour of temptation: for He has said, I will never leave you nor forsake you. 

Small or big, every sin leads to destruction and death. The soul that sinneth, it shall die. The wages of sin is death. In His wisdom, the just and righteous God has determined to punish every sinner in hell fire, except they repent. The type of sin committed does not really matter; lying and murder will attract the same judgment - eternal destruction. Therefore, to escape the judgment of God, you must be born again.

Believers who live and walk before men are men-pleasers and do not have the fear of God. They may pretend to obey the word of God whenever they are among the people of God. However, in the absence of fellow believers, especially their leaders, they can even quarrel and fight for their rights in disobedience to God's word. The true measure of obedience to the word of God is tested outside the Church, among the unbelievers.  

As professing believers we are daily exposed to the temptation to behave differently from what we have learnt from the word of God. But according to the Lord, His true disciples are those who continue in the word of God, come what may. As His sheep they hear His voice and follow Him. We must therefore strive to live our lives as His children, wherever we go.

The man in our key text was in the same unpleasant situation for a long time - thirty-eight years. He believed that one day someone would be kind enough to help get him into the healing waters at the right time. However, when Jesus came by and asked if he would like to be healed, he failed to see that the Doctor of doctors had come to his help. His trust was not in God but in man.