Month: November 2023

Daniel 3:19 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 

It is easy to judge Nebuchadnezzar for allowing his emotions to cloud his judgment. I’m pretty sure we’ve all been there–so angry, so enraged that we are determined to show the other person our wrath, no matter the cost to either of us.

Daniel 3:20 and commanded some of the strongest soldiers in his army to tie up Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego and throw them into the blazing furnace.  

And it just occurred to me that that type of scenario is what Jesus’s sacrifice saved us from. We are sinful by nature, sometimes willfully sinful. God has every right to be so enraged with our behaviors that He is determined to show us His wrath, no matter the cost. But He sent His son to redeem us and allow us a restored relationship with Him.

Daniel 3:21 So these men, wearing their robes, trousers, turbans and other clothes, were bound and thrown into the blazing furnace.

Precious Savior, Thank You for the wisdom and insight You allow me as I sit at Your feet and read Your word each morning. Thank You for reminding me of the destructive nature of anger and rage. Thank You for Your sacrifice, which saved me from God’s wrath and gave me a path to right relationship with Him. Thank You. Amen.

Daniel 3:22-23 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, and these three men, firmly tied, fell into the blazing furnace.

Have a blessed day.

Daniel 3:16 Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego replied to him, “King Nebuchadnezzar, we do not need to defend ourselves before you in this matter.

Oh the faith of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego. God CAN. He WILL. But EVEN IF He does not, we will praise Him.

Daniel 3:17 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.

I know that God CAN do all things. I know that He WILL use all things for my good and His glory. I try to praise Him always. But there is a time in there where I question and doubt: Why God? Why me? Why this? Why now?

Daniel 3:18a But even if he does not,

Precious Savior, Thank You for Your sovereign, compassionate, fierce love. Thank You for being big enough to handle my feelings of fear, doubt, anger, and bitterness. Thank You for Your strength and love, even if, even when. Help me to praise You always. Amen.

Daniel 3:18b …we want you to know, Your Majesty, that we will not serve your gods or worship the image of gold you have set up.”

Have a blessed day.

Daniel 3:13 Furious with rage, Nebuchadnezzar summoned Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego. So these men were brought before the king,

Verse 13 begins, “Furious with rage….” The king should stop right there. Anything that begins “Furious with rage,” is not going to end well. Strong emotions can be overwhelming and can short circuit rational thought.

Daniel 3:14 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?

I once heard it said, “God is bigger than our feelings.” As someone who feels everything deeply, this expression really struck me. My emotions are strong, but God is so much stronger. I am NOT a prisoner to my emotions.

Daniel 3:15a Now when you hear the sound of the horn, flute, zither, lyre, harp, pipe and all kinds of music, if you are ready to fall down and worship the image I made, very good.

Precious Savior, Thank You for allowing me to feel emotions deeply. Thank you also for being bigger than those emotions. When my emotions threaten to overwhelm me, thank You that I can cling to You. Amen.

Daniel 3:25b 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?”

Have a blessed day.

Daniel 3:8 At this time some astrologers came forward and denounced the Jews. 

I wonder about the thought process of these astrologers. Is there any universe where they were trying to do something positive or was this as petty and spiteful as it seemed? Did they really care about the king and think he was being disrespected? Were they really trying to see if he would follow through on his threat?

Daniel 3:9 They said to King Nebuchadnezzar, “May the king live forever! 

Were they firm respecters of the need for rules and earnestly wanted to be sure rules were obeyed? Were they upset because they were following the rules and doing what they should and the Jews were not? Does it even matter what their motives were since God is able to use all things for our good and His glory?

Daniel 3:10-11 Your Majesty has issued a decree that everyone who hears the sound of the horn, flute, zither, lyre, harp, pipe and all kinds of music must fall down and worship the image of gold, and that whoever does not fall down and worship will be thrown into a blazing furnace.

Precious Savior, The motives of the astrologers bother me–in part because I simply don’t understand, in part because, in some small way, I could see myself acting as both the astrologers–protecting the rules–and the Jews–refusing to do something that goes against my beliefs. Thank You that You can work in any and all situations, regardless of people’s motives. Thank You that You can and will and do work all things for my good and Your glory. Amen.

Daniel 3:12 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, Your Majesty. They neither serve your gods nor worship the image of gold you have set up.”

Have a blessed day.

Daniel 3:1 King Nebuchadnezzar made an image of gold, sixty cubits high and six cubits wide, and set it up on the plain of Dura in the province of Babylon. 

One of the things that I have always admired about this chapter of Daniel is the resolve of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego. The entire country is bowing to this golden image, but not them. They will not be moved.

Daniel 3:2 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. 

I feel like I used to be like that with my positive spirit. The world’s negativity was not going to bring me down. And I’m not sure if I’m just in a tough place or if the world has finally gotten to me, but here lately, I feel like I default to the negative more and more instead of staying positive, of sharing positivity. I don’t like it. I want it to stop.

Daniel 3:3a 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, 

Precious Savior, I believe that You created me to be an encourager, to lift others, to shine Your light and highlight Your hope. I don’t like this negativity that seems to infuse my spirit of late. I don’t want to be that person. Help me to be the person You designed me to be. Help me. Amen.

Daniel 3:3b …and they stood before it.

Have a blessed day.