Dei Break
Daniel 3:1 – 30
Nebuchadnezzar was a great leader of a great empire. A wall 56 miles long and wide enough to accommodate a chariot pulled by four horses protected the area around his capital city. Babylonian mathematicians and astronomers made revolutionary discoveries. But, Nebuchadnezzar did not worship the true God. In fact, his many prayers to his own gods seem to have been merely perfunctory. Historian Will Durant, wrote that "Nearly all the bricks so far recovered from the site of Babylon bear the proud inscription: 'I am Nebuchadnezzar, King of Babylon'." As today's story ends, the king may acknowledge God's existence and power, but he did not bow to Him.
As we begin reading chapter 3, where is the subtitle, "How to Louse up a Great Job"? The three men had the plush position of advisors to the king, ate the best food, sat in the best chairs, enjoyed the confidence of powerful men, and the people admired them. Why mess it up by refusing to bow to an idol that was not a god? What harm could it do? Evil men had managed to trap them into making that decision.
God wanted Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego to make statement about Him, and what a statement. Acting on their faith in God instead of fear or practicality, the three stood firm even under the threat of death. They announced to the king that if God did not save them, God would still be their Lord. They realized that God is not just a miracle worker in a box—He is our Lord, no matter what.
The fourth "man" in the furnace was the pre-incarnate Christ. He walked with them in the fire, protecting them from even a singe on their clothing. After their rescue, God's purpose became clear—Nebuchadnezzar acknowledged the power and presence of their God.
How many times does God place us in situations in which we must choose whether to stand for Him or remain invisible, or even assent to our culture's demand that we accept its norms? When we stand for Christ, He may or may not protect us from embarrassment or rejection, but the people watching us will always see a message. When they wonder if Christ is worth investigating for their lives, will they see in us a reason to say "YES"?
Comments