God is Faithful!
Daniel Speaks to Us Today series
By Greg Johnson
October 18, 2006
http://www.LovingGodFellowship.org
Daniel Chapter 3
Daniel chapters one and two focus on Daniel; chapter three focuses totally on his three friends, Sadrach, Meshack and Abednego. These three find their self in a very difficult situation as they live counter to culture. As they place total trust in God’s ability to save them, God proved Himself faithful.
The book of Daniel speaks to us today. As we place our total trust in God’s ability to save us we will continually find that God is faithful!
God’s Word says (Daniel 3:1-12 NIV) "King Nebuchadnezzar made an image of gold, ninety feet high and nine feet wide, and set it up on the plain of Dura in the province of Babylon. {2} He then summoned the satraps, prefects, governors, advisers, treasurers, judges, magistrates and all the other provincial officials to come to the dedication of the image he had set up. {3} So the satraps, prefects, governors, advisers, treasurers, judges, magistrates and all the other provincial officials assembled for the dedication of the image that King Nebuchadnezzar had set up, and they stood before it. {4} Then the herald loudly proclaimed, "This is what you are commanded to do, O peoples, nations and men of every language: {5} As soon as you hear the sound of the horn, flute, zither, lyre, harp, pipes and all kinds of music, you must fall down and worship the image of gold that King Nebuchadnezzar has set up. {6} Whoever does not fall down and worship will immediately be thrown into a blazing furnace." {7} Therefore, as soon as they heard the sound of the horn, flute, zither, lyre, harp and all kinds of music, all the peoples, nations and men of every language fell down and worshiped the image of gold that King Nebuchadnezzar had set up. {8} At this time some astrologers came forward and denounced the Jews. {9} They said to King Nebuchadnezzar, "O king, live forever! {10} You have issued a decree, O king, that everyone who hears the sound of the horn, flute, zither, lyre, harp, pipes and all kinds of music must fall down and worship the image of gold, {11} and that whoever does not fall down and worship will be thrown into a blazing furnace. {12} But there are some Jews whom you have set over the affairs of the province of Babylon--Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego--who pay no attention to you, O king. They neither serve your gods nor worship the image of gold you have set up.""
NOT EVERYONE WILL BE HAPPY WITH YOUR COMMITMENT TO GOD.
As Shadrach, Meshack and Abednego lived in the world, but separated from the world for God’s use, there were those that were not happy with them. As the Holy Spirit separates you from the world, there will be those that will grow unhappy with you. Please know that it is not you that they are coming against. It’s the God that you serve. As you realize this, it will enable you to respond in a manner that is pleasing to God.
Notice how these three responded. (Daniel 3:13-16 NIV) "Furious with rage, Nebuchadnezzar summoned Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego. So these men were brought before the king, {14} and Nebuchadnezzar said to them, "Is it true, Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego, that you do not serve my gods or worship the image of gold I have set up? {15} Now when you hear the sound of the horn, flute, zither, lyre, harp, pipes and all kinds of music, if you are ready to fall down and worship the image I made, very good. But if you do not worship it, you will be thrown immediately into a blazing furnace. Then what god will be able to rescue you from my hand?" {16} Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego replied to the king, "O Nebuchadnezzar, we do not need to defend ourselves before you in this matter."
Take note of the reaction of these three as they chose to live separate from the world: They did not condemn others for their worldly lifestyle. They knew when to speak and when to stay silent. They did not try to defend their actions. They simply lived for God. God honored their reaction. Beloved, may we as God’s children react in like manner in our day as we allow the Holy Spirit to separate us from the world and it’s ways. The Holy Spirit that resides within us will help us as we submit to His leadership.
BE FULLY PERSUADED THAT GOD IS ABLE.
Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego were in a fiery trial. Their response to the king was (Daniel 3:17-18 NIV) “If we are thrown into the blazing furnace, the God we serve is able to save us from it, and he will rescue us from your hand, O king. {18} But even if he does not, we want you to know, O king, that we will not serve your gods or worship the image of gold you have set up." What a powerful response in the face of certain death. You can not respond in such a fashion unless you are fully persuaded that God is able. These guys were fully persuaded that God was able to make something positive out of their desperate situation.
Beloved, that is the mark of a true follower of Jesus. As we follow Him on our journey from earth to Glory, we know that there is a cross to carry and we press forward. We press forward knowing that He is able to save us! Praise the Lord! Jesus has saved us from the penalty and the guilt of sin! Jesus is saving us from the power of sin! Jesus will save us from the presence of sin! And on the journey, Jesus promises to never leave or forsake us. We are fully persuaded of that!
GOD PROVES HIMSELF FAITHFUL!
God’s Word says (Daniel 3:19-27 NIV) "Then Nebuchadnezzar was furious with Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego, and his attitude toward them changed. He ordered the furnace heated seven times hotter than usual {20} and commanded some of the strongest soldiers in his army to tie up Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego and throw them into the blazing furnace. {21} So these men, wearing their robes, trousers, turbans and other clothes, were bound and thrown into the blazing furnace. {22} The king’s command was so urgent and the furnace so hot that the flames of the fire killed the soldiers who took up Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego, {23} and these three men, firmly tied, fell into the blazing furnace. {24} Then King Nebuchadnezzar leaped to his feet in amazement and asked his advisers, "Weren’t there three men that we tied up and threw into the fire?" They replied, "Certainly, O king." {25} He said, "Look! I see four men walking around in the fire, unbound and unharmed, and the fourth looks like a son of the gods." {26} Nebuchadnezzar then approached the opening of the blazing furnace and shouted, "Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego, servants of the Most High God, come out! Come here!" So Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego came out of the fire, {27} and the satraps, prefects, governors and royal advisers crowded around them. They saw that the fire had not harmed their bodies, nor was a hair of their heads singed; their robes were not scorched, and there was no smell of fire on them."
God not only rescued them, but He sent them a heavenly helper to be with them through their fiery trial. When they came out of the trial, they did not have any damage from the fire. They didn’t even smell like smoke.
Beloved, you may be in the greatest trial of your life right now. Be fully persuaded that God is able. He will prove Himself faithful to you. He is with you. He has not left you. God is strengthening you and you are going to come out of this trial a living testimony of His supernatural, protective power. You won’t even smell like smoke! Be encouraged today. Jesus is with you! Jesus is rescuing you!
