Stand for Truth Like Daniel and His Friendsნიმუში

“If we are thrown into the blazing furnace, the God we serve is able to deliver us from it, and he will deliver us from Your Majesty’s hand. But even if he does not, we want you to know, Your Majesty, that we will not serve your gods or worship the image of gold you have set up” (Daniel 3:17-18, NIV).

These words ring through history.

They are some of the bravest words ever spoken. We know the story of the fiery furnace. The testimony of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, Daniel’s dear friends, blazes like fire in our hearts.

The miracle is incredible. But the author of Daniel almost rushes past it. Daniel could have dedicated entire chapters with details about the miracle itself.

However, this famous passage focuses less on the miracle and more on the characteristics of the people involved. As a result, we see a stark contrast between the king and Daniel’s friends.

We’ve seen in this devotional how God moved in Nebuchadnezzar’s life to show the worldly king that He sets apart those who believe in Him.

In chapter one, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, along with Daniel, defied the logic of the world when they refused to eat meat sacrificed to the king’s false gods, but even without the protein, they were the fittest and best because God’s favor was upon them.

When Nebuchadnezzar had the dream and threatened all the wise men, in Daniel chapter two, instead of cowering, Daniel and his three friends bowed before God and were able to share the dream and its meaning, which appeased the king’s spirit.

Though that very dream revealed there is only One God, Nebuchadnezzar created a statue of himself and required everyone to bow in worship, revealing his total arrogance and that he learned nothing from the dream that God revealed through his servants. His eyes were on himself and his own kingdom.

But the eyes of Daniel’s three beloved friends looked up. The idol was a pathetic, ridiculous imposter of true power and might. They knew that their unseen God was the creator of the heavens and the earth, was sovereign over history and their lives, a God of miracles, worthy of their complete loyalty.

While this famous passage ends with an incredible miracle, Daniel focuses in on the importance of obedience and loyalty to God, even in the most intimidating or impossible situations.

Daniel urges us, through this written testimony, to have the same convictions as his friends: to live out of loyalty and belief in who God is. We obey, not for the purpose of getting stuff–provision, position, miracles.

We obey because of who God is: worthy of all worship, commitment, and praise.

Reflect

How big is my view of God?

Take some time to think about His goodness, His power, His gentleness, His magnificence, His kindness, and His love.

Commit to responding in obedience to Him because of who He is.

Pray

God, I long to be obedient to You because of who You are–the one true God who is worthy of all my worship and praise. Thank you for who You are. Give me revelation like Daniel and his friends to know You and faith to live accordingly.