Post by Woody Williams on Oct 18, 2005 11:12:46 GMT -5
Text for the Day -- Daniel 3:16-20, 24-26
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Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego answered the king, 'O Nebuchadnezzar, we have no need to present a defence to you in this matter. If our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the furnace of blazing fire and out of your hand, O king, let him deliver us. But if not, be it known to you, O king, that we will not serve your gods and we will not worship the golden statue that you have set up.'
Then Nebuchadnezzar was so filled with rage against Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego that his face was distorted. He ordered the furnace to be heated up seven times more than was customary, and ordered some of the strongest guards in his army to bind Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego and to throw them into the furnace of blazing fire.
Then King Nebuchadnezzar was astonished and rose up quickly. He said to his counsellors, 'Was it not three men that we threw bound into the fire?' They answered the king, 'True, O king.' He replied, 'But I see four men unbound, walking in the middle of the fire, and they are not hurt; and the fourth has the appearance of a god.'
Nebuchadnezzar then approached the door of the furnace of blazing fire and said, 'Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, servants of the Most High God, come out! Come here!' So Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego came out from the fire.
Devotional
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Dictators often go beyond their bounds of authority, asking not only obedience but worship. Anyone of us can go beyond the boundaries of what we can ask in our relationships. Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego put their basic trust in God and put their lives on the line in refusing false worship. They were not willing to compromise their faith even in the face of death. Most of us do not face such a harsh challenge. However we are faced with little compromises to our trust in God each day.
Prayer
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Gracious God, strengthen my trust in your love and power so that I do not compromise my faith. Amen
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Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego answered the king, 'O Nebuchadnezzar, we have no need to present a defence to you in this matter. If our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the furnace of blazing fire and out of your hand, O king, let him deliver us. But if not, be it known to you, O king, that we will not serve your gods and we will not worship the golden statue that you have set up.'
Then Nebuchadnezzar was so filled with rage against Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego that his face was distorted. He ordered the furnace to be heated up seven times more than was customary, and ordered some of the strongest guards in his army to bind Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego and to throw them into the furnace of blazing fire.
Then King Nebuchadnezzar was astonished and rose up quickly. He said to his counsellors, 'Was it not three men that we threw bound into the fire?' They answered the king, 'True, O king.' He replied, 'But I see four men unbound, walking in the middle of the fire, and they are not hurt; and the fourth has the appearance of a god.'
Nebuchadnezzar then approached the door of the furnace of blazing fire and said, 'Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, servants of the Most High God, come out! Come here!' So Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego came out from the fire.
Devotional
----------
Dictators often go beyond their bounds of authority, asking not only obedience but worship. Anyone of us can go beyond the boundaries of what we can ask in our relationships. Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego put their basic trust in God and put their lives on the line in refusing false worship. They were not willing to compromise their faith even in the face of death. Most of us do not face such a harsh challenge. However we are faced with little compromises to our trust in God each day.
Prayer
----------------
Gracious God, strengthen my trust in your love and power so that I do not compromise my faith. Amen