Daniel 3:1-18 The Lord Is In Control -- There Is Nothing To Fear

Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego had their faith in God put to the test again.  They'd been tested when they first arrived as Daniel convinced their trainer to let them eat a vegetarian diet that didn't include the Babylonian meat which had been sacrificed to idols.  They had eventually been elevated to prestigious positions in the government.

But now Nebuchadnezzar's pride was causing them to endure another test.  He had erected a statue that every one of the leaders were required to worship.  They had to decide what they would do.

My commentary said, "The devil tempts us to destroy our faith, but God tests us to develop our faith, because a faith that can't be tested can't be trusted.  False faith withers in times of trial, but true faith takes deeper root, grows, and brings glory to God."

The heart of the king was filled with both pride and suspicion, and "he wanted to make sure that his people were loyal to him and that there would be no rebellion.

The hearts of the people were vascilating and so "the command was an easy one to obey, especially in light of the consequences."

The hearts of the three Jewish men were "confident that the Lord was in control and they had nothing to fear.  "Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego were men of faith but not men of presumption.  Had they affirmed that God would deliver them, that would have been presumption, because they didn't know what God had willed for the situation.  Instead, they stated that their God was able to deliver them, but even if He didn't, they still wouldn't fall down before the king's golden statue ... The three Hebrew men believed that God could deliver them, but they would trust Him even if He didn't.  That is how faith is supposed to operate in our lives."

Father, keep my faith like that.  You taught me with my first adoption to trust You.  Don't let me ever slip away from that sure belief.

 

Your Brother In Christ,
Gary Ford