Daniel was a great servant, leader, and administrator. He continually showed himself to be faithful and committed, no matter who the leader was 'above' him. (Remember, he was forcibly taken from his home as a young man by Nebuchadnezzer, then served under Belteshazzar, now Darius (of the Medo/Persian Empire). Not only different kings, but different countries!)
Yet...Daniel continued to serve faithfully. "The king also chose Daniel and two others as administrators to supervise the high officers and protect the king’s interests. Daniel soon proved himself more capable than all the other administrators and high officers. Because of Daniel’s great ability, the king made plans to place him over the entire empire." (vv. 2-3)
Why? How? How could Daniel continue to rise to the top, no matter who was 'over' him?
It came from his faith...and other leaders hated him for it!
NOTE: Remember, when you serve faithfully--whatever role you're in, whoever is your boss--God will exalt you (in His perfect time)...and others will not like it. ESPECIALLY if they know it comes from your faith, expect to be challenged!.
"Then the other administrators and high officers began searching for some fault in the way Daniel was handling government affairs, but they couldn’t find anything to criticize or condemn. He was faithful, always responsible, and completely trustworthy. So they concluded, “Our only chance of finding grounds for accusing Daniel will be in connection with the rules of his religion.” (vv.4-5)
Did you catch that? "Our ONLY CHANCE of finding ground for accusing Daniel"...will come from his faith. Daniel was so committed (and apparently up-front) about his faith that everyone knew of it...some admired it, but others hated it.
How does that compare to you and I? Would anyone, anywhere ever utter a statement like 'If we're going to find anything wrong with him, it's going to be in the area of his faith'?
Are we so committed that...A) Everyone knows about it (we don't hide it)... B) It is rock-solid and consistent...and C) We're willing to follow our faith, even at great cost to us?
Daniel was!
By the way, there's no evidence that Daniel was obnoxious about it...he just went on his way, doing his thing, consistently and humbly...(see 1 Peter 3:15).
If they ever start throwing people in jail for consistenly pledging allegiance to God, and following His Word, would YOU be arrested? Would YOU be convicted?
I hope that I would!
Tuesday, May 25, 2010
Friday, May 21, 2010
The Hand Writing on the Wall...a lesson for today? (Daniel 5)
We all do it.
We all have a tendency to take important things for granted.
We have a tendency to forget lessons learned.
King Nebuchadnezzer had learned important things from his time with Daniel, and had humbled himself before "the God of Heaven" on a few occasions...
...but his son, Belshazzar? Not so much.
Did King Nebu forget to tell him? Did Beshazzar just roll his eyes thinking "whatever dad--god of heaven--got it". Don't know--we're not told.
(But parents, it does remind us how important it is to teach our children the things we've learned, especially about God and Spiritual things!...even if they do roll their eyes!)
King Belshazzar took even further steps of arrogance than his father had. King Nebu was guilty of arrogance and pride, exalting himself without giving any credit to the Lord. Belshazzar went even further. He started out with that arrogance, then added insult to it--he went and got some of the gold goblets which had been taken from the Temple of the Lord in Jerusalem...and they drank wine out of them! This was one more way in which he was exalting himself above Daniel and Daniel's God...he was 'thumbing his nose' at Daniel's god--the Lord, God of Heaven. He was essentially saying 'Who's in charge NOW, huh? I've got control over the people...over the temple, and over the things that were dedicated to the Lord...I AM IN CHARGE!'
Bad move.
(Side point: Keep this in mind for future stuff from Daniel...when he starts prophesying about the "abomanation that causes desolation", it's this kind of thing--a ruler exalting himself over the God of heaven, misusing his temple (and, I believe, the church). One who's arrogance extends even to misusing the name of God...'him who has ears to hear, let him hear!')
Suddenly, in the midst of the party he's throwing, Belshazzar sees a human hand writing on a wall. THAT would be freaky! Not only that, but it's a language he doesn't know.
He panics and calls in all the wise men, etc...but no one can read it. Finally his mother reminds him about Daniel, "who has the spirit of the holy gods in him" (v. 11)...so Belshazzar calls for Daniel.
Daniel's news is not good for King Belshy...
Daniel reminded King Belshy about all that King Nebu (his father) had learned about humilty before God...and he said "You his son have not humbled yourself, though you knew all this...instead, you have set yourself up against the Lord of Heaven" (vv.22-23).
Because he had exalted himself so high, because he had the nerve to misuse the name of God, because he had (by using the items dedicated to God in the temple) shown contempt for God and arrogance...his kingdom was going to be removed from him and given to the Medes and the Persians.
It was done...THAT VERY NIGHT!
Whenever we exalt ourselves above God...whenever we take his blessing for granted, we are ASKING to be humbled.
But if a leader--in the Church or in Politics--exalts himself above God and misuses faith, misuses the Church, or misuses anything that rightfully belongs to God, that leader is showing the height of arrogance, and is asking to have his own "hand writing on the wall" moment.
May we never be so arrogant and so stupid...instead, may we all--and each and every one of our leaders--humble themselves before the Lord.
...keep this in mind...
We all have a tendency to take important things for granted.
We have a tendency to forget lessons learned.
King Nebuchadnezzer had learned important things from his time with Daniel, and had humbled himself before "the God of Heaven" on a few occasions...
...but his son, Belshazzar? Not so much.
Did King Nebu forget to tell him? Did Beshazzar just roll his eyes thinking "whatever dad--god of heaven--got it". Don't know--we're not told.
(But parents, it does remind us how important it is to teach our children the things we've learned, especially about God and Spiritual things!...even if they do roll their eyes!)
King Belshazzar took even further steps of arrogance than his father had. King Nebu was guilty of arrogance and pride, exalting himself without giving any credit to the Lord. Belshazzar went even further. He started out with that arrogance, then added insult to it--he went and got some of the gold goblets which had been taken from the Temple of the Lord in Jerusalem...and they drank wine out of them! This was one more way in which he was exalting himself above Daniel and Daniel's God...he was 'thumbing his nose' at Daniel's god--the Lord, God of Heaven. He was essentially saying 'Who's in charge NOW, huh? I've got control over the people...over the temple, and over the things that were dedicated to the Lord...I AM IN CHARGE!'
Bad move.
(Side point: Keep this in mind for future stuff from Daniel...when he starts prophesying about the "abomanation that causes desolation", it's this kind of thing--a ruler exalting himself over the God of heaven, misusing his temple (and, I believe, the church). One who's arrogance extends even to misusing the name of God...'him who has ears to hear, let him hear!')
Suddenly, in the midst of the party he's throwing, Belshazzar sees a human hand writing on a wall. THAT would be freaky! Not only that, but it's a language he doesn't know.
He panics and calls in all the wise men, etc...but no one can read it. Finally his mother reminds him about Daniel, "who has the spirit of the holy gods in him" (v. 11)...so Belshazzar calls for Daniel.
Daniel's news is not good for King Belshy...
Daniel reminded King Belshy about all that King Nebu (his father) had learned about humilty before God...and he said "You his son have not humbled yourself, though you knew all this...instead, you have set yourself up against the Lord of Heaven" (vv.22-23).
Because he had exalted himself so high, because he had the nerve to misuse the name of God, because he had (by using the items dedicated to God in the temple) shown contempt for God and arrogance...his kingdom was going to be removed from him and given to the Medes and the Persians.
It was done...THAT VERY NIGHT!
Whenever we exalt ourselves above God...whenever we take his blessing for granted, we are ASKING to be humbled.
But if a leader--in the Church or in Politics--exalts himself above God and misuses faith, misuses the Church, or misuses anything that rightfully belongs to God, that leader is showing the height of arrogance, and is asking to have his own "hand writing on the wall" moment.
May we never be so arrogant and so stupid...instead, may we all--and each and every one of our leaders--humble themselves before the Lord.
...keep this in mind...
Thursday, May 13, 2010
"Flipping" my life--Tornados and God
Amazing, isn't it? When you look back over the course of your life, I'll bet you can see that the difficult times--the trials, the tragedies, are the moments of life change--many for the better, some for the worse.
I think that the difference--good or bad--is how much you allow God into that situation.
Take the May 13, 1980 tornado in Kalamazoo...a tragic situation, to be sure! 5 deaths, 79 injuries, $50 Million in damage (what would that be today--$500 Mil?), and countless lives disrupted, pictures lost, prom dresses ruined, houses and churches destroyed...the list could go on.
I remember that day very well, and it came very close (literally 2 doors down) to our house...damage to family and friends all over. Trauma everywhere.
But I remember it as a very GOOD thing also!
I remember that week, when the National Guard came in and cordoned off our neighborhood...I felt secure, and was thankful that those people would leave thier own families to help protect mine. I remember when the Salvation Army set up thier food wagon down the street, and fed us...those people (from Kalamazoo County, I think) left thier homes to feed us...I remember when we had a church service in our back yard (our church, St. Augustine, was destroyed)--people literally walked for a mile to get to us (because they weren't allowed in our neighborhood in cars).
I remember being struck by all of that--and beginning to think that 'the life I've been living has not been great'. I was a typical teenager then--partying as much as possible, caring very much about myself.
These events caused me to start thinking differently.
I believe that God's Holy Spirit was beginning to prepare me to take Jesus seriously and personally, for the first time in my life. Later that year, I personally accepted Jesus Christ as my Lord and Savior, and became a dedicated follower of His!
Romans 8:28 says that "God causes all things to work together for the good of those who love Him--who are called according to His purpose.". I believe that God caused that tornado to work for my good...and many others--as we began to 'think outside ourselves'.
For me, ultimately, He moved me into the Ministry...for others the path was different...but here's what I know: NO MATTER WHAT the circumstances are--tornado's, foreclosures, illnesses, accidents, breakups...God can and will turn it around--IF we invite Him to do so, and follow His lead.
Today, 30 years later--May 13, 2010--May YOU know God's presence in the midst of your trials...and may YOU turn to Him, so that HE can 'go to work' in your situation and turn it around!
Grace and Peace!
Dave
I think that the difference--good or bad--is how much you allow God into that situation.
Take the May 13, 1980 tornado in Kalamazoo...a tragic situation, to be sure! 5 deaths, 79 injuries, $50 Million in damage (what would that be today--$500 Mil?), and countless lives disrupted, pictures lost, prom dresses ruined, houses and churches destroyed...the list could go on.
I remember that day very well, and it came very close (literally 2 doors down) to our house...damage to family and friends all over. Trauma everywhere.
But I remember it as a very GOOD thing also!
I remember that week, when the National Guard came in and cordoned off our neighborhood...I felt secure, and was thankful that those people would leave thier own families to help protect mine. I remember when the Salvation Army set up thier food wagon down the street, and fed us...those people (from Kalamazoo County, I think) left thier homes to feed us...I remember when we had a church service in our back yard (our church, St. Augustine, was destroyed)--people literally walked for a mile to get to us (because they weren't allowed in our neighborhood in cars).
I remember being struck by all of that--and beginning to think that 'the life I've been living has not been great'. I was a typical teenager then--partying as much as possible, caring very much about myself.
These events caused me to start thinking differently.
I believe that God's Holy Spirit was beginning to prepare me to take Jesus seriously and personally, for the first time in my life. Later that year, I personally accepted Jesus Christ as my Lord and Savior, and became a dedicated follower of His!
Romans 8:28 says that "God causes all things to work together for the good of those who love Him--who are called according to His purpose.". I believe that God caused that tornado to work for my good...and many others--as we began to 'think outside ourselves'.
For me, ultimately, He moved me into the Ministry...for others the path was different...but here's what I know: NO MATTER WHAT the circumstances are--tornado's, foreclosures, illnesses, accidents, breakups...God can and will turn it around--IF we invite Him to do so, and follow His lead.
Today, 30 years later--May 13, 2010--May YOU know God's presence in the midst of your trials...and may YOU turn to Him, so that HE can 'go to work' in your situation and turn it around!
Grace and Peace!
Dave
Monday, May 10, 2010
The Boomerang Principle (Daniel 4:34-37)
Boomerangs are cool...IF you know how to throw them.
I've seen people throw these things and make them go in a large circle and come right back to them. Pretty cool! I try, and it goes mostly straight--making me go further to retrieve it.
The Boomerang Principle is something like that. By this, I mean the tendency we all have to require being taught the same life lesson over and over again before we finally learn it.
King Nebuchadnezzer is a good illustration of this.
Despite learning about the God of the Hebrews through Daniel (ch.1), through Shadrach, Meschach and Abednego (ch. 3), and supposedly understanding that this "Most High God" was worthy of praise and allegiance, and despite Daniel's warning, King Nebu went ahead and praised...himself! Nebu's pride was amazing, and he convinced himself that he had 'arrived' based on his own wit, wisdom and vigor...NO Humility at all.
Therefore, exactly what Daniel had predicted came true...Nebu's sanity was taken from him and he was driven out to live in the countryside, rejected from all his servants and all his people. (Daniel 4:1-33).
Fortunately, he isn't required to stay there...
" 34 “After this time had passed, I, Nebuchadnezzar, looked up to heaven. My sanity returned, and I praised and worshiped the Most High and honored the one who lives forever.
His rule is everlasting,
and his kingdom is eternal.
35 All the people of the earth
are nothing compared to him.
He does as he pleases
among the angels of heaven
and among the people of the earth.
No one can stop him or say to him,
‘What do you mean by doing these things?’
36 “When my sanity returned to me, so did my honor and glory and kingdom. My advisers and nobles sought me out, and I was restored as head of my kingdom, with even greater honor than before." (Daniel 4:34-36)
King Nebu "looked toward heaven", and his sanity is restored.
That is the Boomerang Lesson that Nebu--and we--have to learn. Sometimes we have to learn it over and over again.
YOU--no matter who you are--ARE NOT THE POINT! GOD IS!
You did not get your intelligence, popularity, position, power, etc. because 'you're all that'...rather, you did because God allowed you to. You and I need to humble ourselves with that reality.
Finally, his response seems real and personal:
"I praised and worshiped the Most High and honored the one who lives forever. His rule is everlasting, and his kingdom is eternal." (v.34)
The result? He was restored...better than ever! And he continued to praise God.
37 “Now I, Nebuchadnezzar, praise and glorify and honor the King of heaven. All his acts are just and true, and he is able to humble the proud.”
He "raised his eyes to heaven"...and so must we. This takes humility, because in order to raise our eyes to heaven in faith, we must--of necessity--acknowledge that God is above us.
It's a good thing to remember and to teach our children...so that we don't have to learn it again and again.
Presumably, King Nebu kept it in mind and taught his kids this, right?
Tune in next time and find out!
In the meantime, may God humble us and keep us on our knees!
Grace and Peace,
Dave
I've seen people throw these things and make them go in a large circle and come right back to them. Pretty cool! I try, and it goes mostly straight--making me go further to retrieve it.
The Boomerang Principle is something like that. By this, I mean the tendency we all have to require being taught the same life lesson over and over again before we finally learn it.
King Nebuchadnezzer is a good illustration of this.
Despite learning about the God of the Hebrews through Daniel (ch.1), through Shadrach, Meschach and Abednego (ch. 3), and supposedly understanding that this "Most High God" was worthy of praise and allegiance, and despite Daniel's warning, King Nebu went ahead and praised...himself! Nebu's pride was amazing, and he convinced himself that he had 'arrived' based on his own wit, wisdom and vigor...NO Humility at all.
Therefore, exactly what Daniel had predicted came true...Nebu's sanity was taken from him and he was driven out to live in the countryside, rejected from all his servants and all his people. (Daniel 4:1-33).
Fortunately, he isn't required to stay there...
" 34 “After this time had passed, I, Nebuchadnezzar, looked up to heaven. My sanity returned, and I praised and worshiped the Most High and honored the one who lives forever.
His rule is everlasting,
and his kingdom is eternal.
35 All the people of the earth
are nothing compared to him.
He does as he pleases
among the angels of heaven
and among the people of the earth.
No one can stop him or say to him,
‘What do you mean by doing these things?’
36 “When my sanity returned to me, so did my honor and glory and kingdom. My advisers and nobles sought me out, and I was restored as head of my kingdom, with even greater honor than before." (Daniel 4:34-36)
King Nebu "looked toward heaven", and his sanity is restored.
That is the Boomerang Lesson that Nebu--and we--have to learn. Sometimes we have to learn it over and over again.
YOU--no matter who you are--ARE NOT THE POINT! GOD IS!
You did not get your intelligence, popularity, position, power, etc. because 'you're all that'...rather, you did because God allowed you to. You and I need to humble ourselves with that reality.
Finally, his response seems real and personal:
"I praised and worshiped the Most High and honored the one who lives forever. His rule is everlasting, and his kingdom is eternal." (v.34)
The result? He was restored...better than ever! And he continued to praise God.
37 “Now I, Nebuchadnezzar, praise and glorify and honor the King of heaven. All his acts are just and true, and he is able to humble the proud.”
He "raised his eyes to heaven"...and so must we. This takes humility, because in order to raise our eyes to heaven in faith, we must--of necessity--acknowledge that God is above us.
It's a good thing to remember and to teach our children...so that we don't have to learn it again and again.
Presumably, King Nebu kept it in mind and taught his kids this, right?
Tune in next time and find out!
In the meantime, may God humble us and keep us on our knees!
Grace and Peace,
Dave
Friday, April 30, 2010
"Too Big for your Britches" (Daniel 4:1-33)
When I was in 4th grade at St. Augustine, I got into an argument with Sister Cecile! (That's how bad I was!). During that argument, she said "You're getting too big for your britches, mister!". My mother used the same term later that week, (then my dad applied some 'correction' to my britches!).
Humility...learning 'our place' is something that we all need to learn from time to time--especially when it comes to 'humility' in the presence of God!
King Nebuchadnezzer learned this too.
Nebu was the most powerful king in the world in his day, and he thought that he was 'all that'. God warned him through a dream that this was not the case--that the Lord had enabled him to prosper--and that he was dependent on Him--but Nebu wouldn't acknowledge this. After the dream, he asked Daniel to come and interpret it...and he does--it's a warning to make sure that Nebu doesn't forget the blessing of the Lord! He says that Nebu's sanity is going to be removed, and he'll flee to the hills, living with animals, basically being insane for 7 YEARS! Once this is over, he'll come to his senses, "acknowledge that Heaven rules" (v.26) , and be restored.
Daniel's advice? “‘King Nebuchadnezzar, please accept my advice. Stop sinning and do what is right. Break from your wicked past and be merciful to the poor. Perhaps then you will continue to prosper.’(v.27).
Daniel knew Nebu's reputation. He had used his power to destroy and to punish, but had not used it for good (remember, despite his words about Daniel's god, he had forcibly kidnapped Daniel and the others, he had set up the golden statue, he had thrown the 3 into the furnace, etc.--this dude was bad!).
DESPITE THIS WARNING...the dream and Daniel's interpretation, King Nebu walks right into it: "Twelve months later he was taking a walk on the flat roof of the royal palace in Babylon. 30 As he looked out across the city, he said, ‘Look at this great city of Babylon! By my own mighty power, I have built this beautiful city as my royal residence to display my majestic splendor.’
31 “While these words were still in his mouth, a voice called down from heaven, ‘O King Nebuchadnezzar, this message is for you! You are no longer ruler of this kingdom. 32 You will be driven from human society. You will live in the fields with the wild animals, and you will eat grass like a cow. Seven periods of time will pass while you live this way, until you learn that the Most High rules over the kingdoms of the world and gives them to anyone he chooses.’
33 “That same hour the judgment was fulfilled, and Nebuchadnezzar was driven from human society. He ate grass like a cow, and he was drenched with the dew of heaven. He lived this way until his hair was as long as eagles’ feathers and his nails were like birds’ claws." (Daniel 4:29-33)
Nebu continued to arrogantly believe that HE was 'The Man', and refuse to humble himself before God.
Although he'd had 'flashes' of true spiritual appreciation for Yahweh (Daniel's God) in the past, he'd never really grasped it. He had arrogantly believed that he himself was responsible for all this blessing...
...so, God had to let him experience forced humility...for his own good, and the good of the people--as well as for the glory of God!
God DOES humble us when we get 'too big for our britches'...but it's not primarily about 'punishment'...rather it IS for our good, for the good of those we influence...AND for the (rightful) glory of God.
Fortunately, He doesn't leave us there...and He didn't leave King Nebu there...stay tuned!
Grace and Peace!
Dave
Humility...learning 'our place' is something that we all need to learn from time to time--especially when it comes to 'humility' in the presence of God!
King Nebuchadnezzer learned this too.
Nebu was the most powerful king in the world in his day, and he thought that he was 'all that'. God warned him through a dream that this was not the case--that the Lord had enabled him to prosper--and that he was dependent on Him--but Nebu wouldn't acknowledge this. After the dream, he asked Daniel to come and interpret it...and he does--it's a warning to make sure that Nebu doesn't forget the blessing of the Lord! He says that Nebu's sanity is going to be removed, and he'll flee to the hills, living with animals, basically being insane for 7 YEARS! Once this is over, he'll come to his senses, "acknowledge that Heaven rules" (v.26) , and be restored.
Daniel's advice? “‘King Nebuchadnezzar, please accept my advice. Stop sinning and do what is right. Break from your wicked past and be merciful to the poor. Perhaps then you will continue to prosper.’(v.27).
Daniel knew Nebu's reputation. He had used his power to destroy and to punish, but had not used it for good (remember, despite his words about Daniel's god, he had forcibly kidnapped Daniel and the others, he had set up the golden statue, he had thrown the 3 into the furnace, etc.--this dude was bad!).
DESPITE THIS WARNING...the dream and Daniel's interpretation, King Nebu walks right into it: "Twelve months later he was taking a walk on the flat roof of the royal palace in Babylon. 30 As he looked out across the city, he said, ‘Look at this great city of Babylon! By my own mighty power, I have built this beautiful city as my royal residence to display my majestic splendor.’
31 “While these words were still in his mouth, a voice called down from heaven, ‘O King Nebuchadnezzar, this message is for you! You are no longer ruler of this kingdom. 32 You will be driven from human society. You will live in the fields with the wild animals, and you will eat grass like a cow. Seven periods of time will pass while you live this way, until you learn that the Most High rules over the kingdoms of the world and gives them to anyone he chooses.’
33 “That same hour the judgment was fulfilled, and Nebuchadnezzar was driven from human society. He ate grass like a cow, and he was drenched with the dew of heaven. He lived this way until his hair was as long as eagles’ feathers and his nails were like birds’ claws." (Daniel 4:29-33)
Nebu continued to arrogantly believe that HE was 'The Man', and refuse to humble himself before God.
Although he'd had 'flashes' of true spiritual appreciation for Yahweh (Daniel's God) in the past, he'd never really grasped it. He had arrogantly believed that he himself was responsible for all this blessing...
...so, God had to let him experience forced humility...for his own good, and the good of the people--as well as for the glory of God!
God DOES humble us when we get 'too big for our britches'...but it's not primarily about 'punishment'...rather it IS for our good, for the good of those we influence...AND for the (rightful) glory of God.
Fortunately, He doesn't leave us there...and He didn't leave King Nebu there...stay tuned!
Grace and Peace!
Dave
Wednesday, April 28, 2010
"...but even if He doesn't..."
King Nebuchadnezzer was in love with himself, and he used the power of his position to DEMAND worship of the image that he'd set up. He threatened anyone who would not bow down and worship with death! Specifically, they would be thrown into the 'fiery furnace'--a terrible threat indeed!
Yet, Daniel's 3 friends, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego would not bow down. They refused to worship the image. When others in Nebu's court discovered this, they 'tattled' on them. Nebu was enraged, and brought them in. He said “Is it true, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, that you refuse to serve my gods or to worship the gold statue I have set up? I will give you one more chance to bow down and worship the statue I have made when you hear the sound of the musical instruments.But if you refuse, you will be thrown immediately into the blazing furnace. And then what god will be able to rescue you from my power?” (Daniel 3:14-15)
King Nebu THINKS that he's called their bluff--after all, he has all the power. He says, in effect 'Look boys, it's nice that you have this 'god' that you serve...but let's get real: Are you ready to DIE for that god? After all, I CONTROL THE FURNACE...and no 'god' can save you once I put you there!
The men responded in a way which must've surprised Nebu: “O Nebuchadnezzar, we do not need to defend ourselves before you. If we are thrown into the blazing furnace, the God whom we serve is able to save us. He will rescue us from your power, Your Majesty. But even if he doesn’t, we want to make it clear to you, Your Majesty, that we will never serve your gods or worship the gold statue you have set up.” (Daniel 3:16-18)
"...BUT EVEN IF HE DOESN'T..." That's some serious belief-cred right there. 'We expect Him to save us, but even if He doesn't, that's not the point! We are not going to bow down to your sorry statue, no matter what happens!'
These guys were committed to the Lord. They had enormous faith that God would rescue them, but knew that, whether He did or not, He was still 'the One true God', and the ONLY One deserving worship. They committed themselves into His hands, and behaved with that in mind.
If you know the story (Daniel 3:19-30), you know that God indeed DID rescue them, and in fact, walked with them in the furnace and protected them to the extent that thier hair wasn't singed and their clothes didn't smell like fire or smoke! God intervened in a BIG way!
King Nebu then praises the God of Shadrach, Meschach and Abednego and threatens anyone who speaks against Him. He observes that "There is no other God who can rescue like this!" (v. 29)
Sounds like Nebu finally 'gets it', right? Stay tuned!
...but the faith that the 3 guys show is pretty incredible. We often worship God and serve Him, as long as everything's going well...but would we do it "even if He doesn't"...(answer our prayers, give us what we ask for, intervene on our behalf, etc.)? These men committed thier lives to the Lord, NO MATTER WHAT! They hoped and prayed that God would intervene and rescue them...but that wasn't the main point. Their main point was that HE IS GOD and deserves to be worshipped, obeyed, and served NO MATTER WHAT!
May we have that same kind of faith today.
Grace and Peace,
Dave
Yet, Daniel's 3 friends, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego would not bow down. They refused to worship the image. When others in Nebu's court discovered this, they 'tattled' on them. Nebu was enraged, and brought them in. He said “Is it true, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, that you refuse to serve my gods or to worship the gold statue I have set up? I will give you one more chance to bow down and worship the statue I have made when you hear the sound of the musical instruments.But if you refuse, you will be thrown immediately into the blazing furnace. And then what god will be able to rescue you from my power?” (Daniel 3:14-15)
King Nebu THINKS that he's called their bluff--after all, he has all the power. He says, in effect 'Look boys, it's nice that you have this 'god' that you serve...but let's get real: Are you ready to DIE for that god? After all, I CONTROL THE FURNACE...and no 'god' can save you once I put you there!
The men responded in a way which must've surprised Nebu: “O Nebuchadnezzar, we do not need to defend ourselves before you. If we are thrown into the blazing furnace, the God whom we serve is able to save us. He will rescue us from your power, Your Majesty. But even if he doesn’t, we want to make it clear to you, Your Majesty, that we will never serve your gods or worship the gold statue you have set up.” (Daniel 3:16-18)
"...BUT EVEN IF HE DOESN'T..." That's some serious belief-cred right there. 'We expect Him to save us, but even if He doesn't, that's not the point! We are not going to bow down to your sorry statue, no matter what happens!'
These guys were committed to the Lord. They had enormous faith that God would rescue them, but knew that, whether He did or not, He was still 'the One true God', and the ONLY One deserving worship. They committed themselves into His hands, and behaved with that in mind.
If you know the story (Daniel 3:19-30), you know that God indeed DID rescue them, and in fact, walked with them in the furnace and protected them to the extent that thier hair wasn't singed and their clothes didn't smell like fire or smoke! God intervened in a BIG way!
King Nebu then praises the God of Shadrach, Meschach and Abednego and threatens anyone who speaks against Him. He observes that "There is no other God who can rescue like this!" (v. 29)
Sounds like Nebu finally 'gets it', right? Stay tuned!
...but the faith that the 3 guys show is pretty incredible. We often worship God and serve Him, as long as everything's going well...but would we do it "even if He doesn't"...(answer our prayers, give us what we ask for, intervene on our behalf, etc.)? These men committed thier lives to the Lord, NO MATTER WHAT! They hoped and prayed that God would intervene and rescue them...but that wasn't the main point. Their main point was that HE IS GOD and deserves to be worshipped, obeyed, and served NO MATTER WHAT!
May we have that same kind of faith today.
Grace and Peace,
Dave
Tuesday, April 27, 2010
One Step Forward, Two Steps Back...
King Nebuchadnezzer just didn't get it!
After God had revealed his dream and it's meaning to Daniel, he said "Surely your God is the God of Gods and the Lord of kings, and a revealer of mysteries..." (Daniel 2:47)...yet, sometime relatively soon after, he does this: "King Nebuchanezzer made and image of gold, 90 feet high and 9 feet wide...and this is what the herald proclaimed: "As soon as you hear the sound of the (instruments), YOU MUST FALL DOWN AND WORSHIP THE IMAGE of gold that King 'Nebu' had set up. Whoever does not fall down and worship the image will immediately be thrown into a blazing furnace." (Daniel 3:1-6)
How could that happen so quickly? How could he go from one who is acknowledging Daniel's God as "The One", and then set up a golden statue and FORCE people to "bow down to worship" it?
It's actually pretty easy!
If a person--king or otherwise--believes, or is 'impressed' with God on an intellectual basis, but does not personally bow down to actually "worship" the true God in heart and mind, then God is thought of as a 'religious symbol', or something like that--and is (therefore) easily set aside.
King Nebu had thought of God that way. He was 'impressed', but he never really 'got it' and he never really worshipped God at the core.
Is our faith merely on the level of 'religious belief'? Are we 'impressed' with God and by His works, but not personally committed to a lifestyle of worship and submission to Him? If so, then--believe it or not--we are likely to set up our own 'idols' in our lives. Idols of self-centeredness, and other ways that we set something up in front of God...and we remove Him from His rightful place in our lives...as the "God of Gods and Lord of (ourselves)"!
Endeavor today to REALLY "Worship" God--from your mind, heart, and with all of your life.
Otherwise, we are liable to take 'One step forward, two steps back'.
Grace and Peace, Dave
ps: Bonus point: No matter what someone in a position of power says...no matter what words and phrases they use, if they won't bow down and worship the God of Gods, and if they try to set up some kind of idol for us to 'bow down' to, they are seriously wrong and MUST be resisted!Just keep that in mind...
After God had revealed his dream and it's meaning to Daniel, he said "Surely your God is the God of Gods and the Lord of kings, and a revealer of mysteries..." (Daniel 2:47)...yet, sometime relatively soon after, he does this: "King Nebuchanezzer made and image of gold, 90 feet high and 9 feet wide...and this is what the herald proclaimed: "As soon as you hear the sound of the (instruments), YOU MUST FALL DOWN AND WORSHIP THE IMAGE of gold that King 'Nebu' had set up. Whoever does not fall down and worship the image will immediately be thrown into a blazing furnace." (Daniel 3:1-6)
How could that happen so quickly? How could he go from one who is acknowledging Daniel's God as "The One", and then set up a golden statue and FORCE people to "bow down to worship" it?
It's actually pretty easy!
If a person--king or otherwise--believes, or is 'impressed' with God on an intellectual basis, but does not personally bow down to actually "worship" the true God in heart and mind, then God is thought of as a 'religious symbol', or something like that--and is (therefore) easily set aside.
King Nebu had thought of God that way. He was 'impressed', but he never really 'got it' and he never really worshipped God at the core.
Is our faith merely on the level of 'religious belief'? Are we 'impressed' with God and by His works, but not personally committed to a lifestyle of worship and submission to Him? If so, then--believe it or not--we are likely to set up our own 'idols' in our lives. Idols of self-centeredness, and other ways that we set something up in front of God...and we remove Him from His rightful place in our lives...as the "God of Gods and Lord of (ourselves)"!
Endeavor today to REALLY "Worship" God--from your mind, heart, and with all of your life.
Otherwise, we are liable to take 'One step forward, two steps back'.
Grace and Peace, Dave
ps: Bonus point: No matter what someone in a position of power says...no matter what words and phrases they use, if they won't bow down and worship the God of Gods, and if they try to set up some kind of idol for us to 'bow down' to, they are seriously wrong and MUST be resisted!Just keep that in mind...
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