Daily Devotion, June 5, 2021

 

Devotion:

Read Daniel 3:13-18.

This is one of my favorite stories in all of the Bible, primarily because it shows what mature faith in God looks like. These three young men were part of the many Hebrew people who had been taken away from their homeland after the Babylonians destroyed Jerusalem. King Nebuchadnezzar had ordered that some of the young men be trained to serve in his palace. The three in our story were part of that group.

 

Every once in a while, the king wanted to test the allegiance of his subjects. Early in chapter three, we’re told of him having a huge statue of gold built and commanding that all of his officials bow down to worship it. These three young men were devoted to worshipping only the God of Israel; nothing and no one else. So when the time came for everyone to bow, they would not. I am particularly inspired by what they say to the king to describe their faith and devotion to God. They know that God can rescue them from what the king is threatening to do, but even if God does not do so in this situation, that will not change their trust in God.

Too often in my life, I have let my faith in God waver when God did not answer my prayer like I wanted or God let something happen that I didn’t understand. The faith and courage of these young men have been a source of inspiration and renewal, reminding to trust God, no matter what happens. I pray they inspire you as well.

Personal Worship Option:

Here are the words to an old chorus that connect to this Bible story for me. They were written by Louisa Stead in 1882:

Jesus, Jesus, how I trust him! How I’ve proved him o’er and o’er!

Jesus, Jesus, precious Jesus! O for grace to trust him more!