Daily Devotion, January 5, 2022

 

Devotion:

Read Daniel 3:13-18.

Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego were Israelite youths who had been brought to the Babylonian king’s palace to be taught the language and literature of the Babylonians. They were to be trained for three years with great promise to enter the king’s service. They excelled and were brought into the king’s service.

Daniel 3:1 says, “King Nebuchadnezzar built a gold statue, ninety feet tall and nine feet wide.” King Nebuchadnezzar loved his power, gold and the attention of the people. He was easily threatened. He was aware of the God of Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego, but he didn’t give their God any credit.

The three youths remained faithful unto God and refused to obey the king’s decree which said, “when you hear all kinds of music, you must fall down and worship the image of gold.  And whoever does not fall down and worship would immediately be thrown into a blazing furnace.”

They said to King Nebuchadnezzar, “even if our God does not, (save us) we want you to know, Your Majesty, that we will not serve your gods or worship the image of gold you have set up.”

Our theme this week focuses on those who did what had to be done, no matter the risk or consequences. These three remained faithful to God even though they didn’t know the outcome of a fiery furnace. We know the outcome! God saves them! But they made their decision to remain faithful without knowing the outcome!

The god that the King trusted was a life-less god, who couldn’t give life or save life. The living God whom the three trusted not only had given them life, but was able to save their lives. It took more courage than most of us have for them to remain faithful, but it is a powerful lesson for us.

It might be easy to focus on these three and miss the amazing power of the God who is able to deliver them from the fiery furnace. But the King didn’t miss this point. In the end, the King made a new decree that, “no one can say anything against the God of Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego….for no other god can save in this way.”

Personal Worship Option:

Dear Lord, Grant us the courage to remain faithful unto You in full assurance that You will be with us. Amen.