Daniel 3
Looking at verse 17 and on: If we are thrown into the blazing furnace, the God we serve is able to deliver us from it, and he will deliver us from Your Majesty's hand. But even if he does not, we want you to know, Your Majesty, that we will not serve your gods or worship the image of gold you have setup.
And if we look further: Then Nebuchadnezzar was furious with Shadrach, Meschach, and Abednego, and his attitude toward them changed. He ordered the furnace heated seven times hotter than usual and commanded some of the strongest soldiers in his army to tie up Shadrach, Meschach, and Abednego and throw them into the blazing furnace.
This chapter sends a strong message to me (and hopefully to everyone else who reads this chapter). Who can we relate to in this situation? Who are we similar to in this situation? Nebuchadnezzar or Daniel (and his friends)? Unfortunately, I feel more like Nebuchadnezzar. It is hard to accept it, but I have idols in my life that I want to tear down. What do we love? Do we most certainly love God? And not just say it?
We cannot just say something and do another thing. I am at fault for this a lot and I want to make a change in my life. I want to be like Daniel. He stood up for his belief in God. He did not worship the statue that Nebuchadnezzar had made for people to worship. He did not even choose to fake it. No matter what the cost is.
Having faith in the Lord is difficult. Living as a Christian, we can come to decisions that challenge our beliefs. Just like how God delivered Daniel and his friends, after they were thrown into the furnace, and were brought back without scars, we have to trust and believe that God will deliver us as long as we stand up for Him and be faithful to Him.
I am definitely challenged by what Daniel has done so far in this book. He has done more in three chapter than what I have done so far in my walk as a Christian. This needs to and will challenge me to seek someone higher than these idols. Someone that will deliver us and help us overcome our worldly battles.
Praise God for my devotions. They have been spotty at times, but I pray that I may continue to get better and more consistent. Thank you God for always being there for me and for your forgiveness. I pray that I may continue to grow and withstand spiritual and worldly temptations knowing that the Lord is with me. I will continue being better at my faithfulness to Him. Faithfulness has always been a vague concept to grasp because it is such a deep terminology that impacts various aspects, if not all, parts of our lives.
God tear down the walls that I have built up. I have built up idols but I want to tear them down. Your love provides and will tear them down.
Song: Hillsong - Tear Down the Walls
This life is Yours
And hope is rising as Your glory floods our hearts
Let love tear down these walls
That all creation would come back to You
It's all for You
Your name is glorious
Glorious
Your Love is changing us
Calling us
To worship in Spirit and in Truth
As all creation returns to You
I cannot shake this fire burning deep inside my heart.
His love is changing us. It is calling us to worship. Why can't I take this more seriously? I feel like I want to try and do the best I can, but I always fail miserably. God. I am sorry. I am sorry for everything. I want to be more faithful. I absolutely need to be more faithful.
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