Reading: Daniel 1-3
Then Nebuchadnezzar spake, and said, Blessed be the God of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-nego, who hath sent his angel, and delivered his servants that trusted in him, and have changed the king’s word, and yielded their bodies, that they might not serve nor worship any god, except their own God. Therefore I make a decree, That every people, nation, and language, which speak any thing amiss against the God of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-nego, shall be cut in pieces, and their houses shall be made a dunghill: because there is no other God that can deliver after this sort. Then the king promoted Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, in the province of Babylon (Ezek. 35:10-11).
As little more than children, Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah were captured by the Babylonians and removed from their homeland. They were separated from their families, stripped of their identities, and assigned to the court of Nebuchadnezzar so that they might undergo special training designed to integrate them into the Babylonian culture and make them productive members of their new society. As everything they had been raised to believe in was called into question, these four young men faced the most important decision they would ever have to make. Would they surrender their heritage and faith and become the authentic Babylonians Nebuchadnezzar wished them to be, or would they remain faithful servants of God and follow His directives even along the new path before them?
Scripture makes clear their choice. Without hesitation, they chose to follow the will of God. They accepted their positions as servants to the Babylonian king, acknowledging his authority over them as second only to the authority of God. On that point, they stood firm and would not compromise, not even in the face of death. Thou, O king, hast made a decree, that every man that shall hear the sound of the cornet, flute, harp, sackbut, psaltery, and dulcimer, and all kinds of musick, shall fall down and worship the golden image: And whoso falleth not down and worshippeth, that he should be cast into the midst of a burning fiery furnace. There are certain Jews whom thou hast set over the affairs of the province of Babylon, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-nego; these men, O king, have not regarded thee: they serve not thy gods, nor worship the golden image which thou hast set up (Dan. 3:10-12).
Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah went into the fire without foreknowledge of the outcome. It is likely that they fully expected to be consumed by the flames, but they knew in their hearts that keeping the commandments of God was more important than preserving their own lives. They knew that whether they lived or died, their actions would bring honor and glory to God.
By bringing His faithful servants safely through the flames, the Lord revealed Himself to their Babylonian captors. While Nebuchadnezzar was far from converted, He could no longer deny the existence and might of the God of Israel. Therefore I make a decree, That every people, nation, and language, which speak any thing amiss against the God of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, shall be cut in pieces, and their houses shall be made a dunghill: because there is no other God that can deliver after this sort.
Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven (Matt. 5:16).
Thought For TodayIf the light of God is your guide, you will always be able to see the path before you.
Christ Revealed:As The Stone that smote the image (Dan. 2:35). The Stone is Jesus Christ (Acts 4:11; Eph. 2:20; I Pet. 2:4-8).
Word Studies: 1:4 Children in whom was no blemish = Young men who were strong and healthy; 2:1 sleep brake from him = he was unable to sleep; 2:31 great image was terrible = dreadful, awesome, frightening; 3:19 the form of his visage = his facial expression ; 3:21 hosen = other garments.
Pray For Staff: Gilbert Palafox • Government Officials: Rep. Nanette Barragan (CA), Rep. Veronica Escobar (TX), Rep. Derrick Van Orden (WI) • Country: Burkina Faso (18,365,123) Western Africa • Major Languages: French, Sudanic Tribal Languages • Religious Freedom • 60.5% Muslim; 19% Roman Catholic; 15.3% Animist; 4.2% Protestant; 0.6% Other; 0.4% None • Prayer Suggestion: Remember that God delights in your joy (Ps. 43:4).
Optional Reading: Revelation 20