Today's Scripture
God’s Timing Philippians 4:4-9
13 Then Nebuchadnezzar in furious rage commanded that Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego be brought in; so they brought those men before the king. 14 Nebuchadnezzar said to them, “Is it true, O Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, that you do not serve my gods and you do not worship the golden statue that I have set up? 15 Now if you are ready when you hear the sound of the horn, pipe, lyre, trigon, harp, drum, and entire musical ensemble to fall down and worship the statue that I have made, well and good. But if you do not worship, you shall immediately be thrown into a furnace of blazing fire, and who is the god that will deliver you out of my hands?”
16 Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego answered the king, “O Nebuchadnezzar, we have no need to present a defense to you in this matter. 17 If our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the furnace of blazing fire and out of your hand, O king, let him deliver us. 18 But if not, be it known to you, O king, that we will not serve your gods and we will not worship the golden statue that you have set up.”
RJ's Devotion
What does the passage say?
To better understand this story, reading the entire chapter will help – Daniel 3
King Nebuchadnezzar, king of Babylon – where the Jewish people were brought to be slaves, after the destruction of their nation – made an Image of himself.
He ordered all people, in his country to bow before the image when they hear a certain sound.
It says, “Whoever does not fall down and worship will immediately be thrown into a blazing furnace” (v. 6 NIV).
Daniel’s friends, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, did now follow the decree, and others came to the king to report their disobedience.
V. 13-15 King Nebuchadnezzar summons the three and gives them another chance. They were renowned officials and the King needed them.
V. 16-18 But the three reply to the king that they would not bow down to the king’s image because they serve the God almighty. They were determined that God will make a way.
What does this passage mean to me/us?
Three friends display a very important posture for faith.
We tend to rely on God when God makes our way or answers our prayer.
However, for the three, who were in a situation to choose between faithfully serving God, versus serving the king, had to make a decision to be disobedient to the king to be obedient to God. Of course, they had trusted God to make a way, even though they will be thrown into the burning furnace. And God does make a way- by sending protection in a form of an angel, who King Nebuchadnezzar describes as a ‘Son of Man.’
However, the three are committed to being faithful to God’s command, even if God doesn’t save them.
NIV Bibles uses a phrase ‘But even if he does not’ (v. 18 NIV).
This is an important statement for a follower.
We are committed to following Jesus, even if my life is difficult.
We are committed to following Jesus, even if my will is not done
We are committed to following Jesus, even if the world says otherwise.
That is the faith the three had set an example, and a faith that we should follow.
Prayer
Lord, we trust in you, our Lord. However, even if you don’t help us to still be faithful to you will.
In Christ name, we pray, AMEN.
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