Post by Woody Williams on Nov 21, 2024 8:14:46 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
----------
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
----------
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