Recently I read through these chapters as part of my daily devotions. This portion of Scripture is probably familiar to many of us. When Scripture gets familiar, sometimes we can just gloss over it and not really expect anything new. May I remind you that God’s Word is quick, powerful, and sharp (Hebrews 4:12)! Do not get complacent with God’s Word!
- Chapter 1 verse 3 refers to Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah as children. These were young men. Daniel was a Jew of royal birth. Yet, here we see them in Babylonian captivity. Remembering that they are young men is important. I don’t know exactly how old they are. We can speculate, but right now, let’s just stay with Scripture.
- Chapter 1 verse 8 tells us Daniel purposed in his heart not to defile himself with the king’s meat or wine. A young man doesn’t just decide to not partake of certain foods simply because he is in a new place. He was raised with a standard of right and wrong, what is acceptable and what is not. We know he was a Jew, so he had knowledge of God. His parents raised him according to the law of God. How are we raising our children? Are we grounding ourselves in the Word of God so that we have a solid foundation on which to raise our children?
- Chapter 1 verses 17-21: First, Daniel and his friends had the courage to ask the prince of the eunuchs for food that was acceptable for them to have. They could’ve easily said this situation was temporary so for now they could just take what they were given and be like everyone else. But they didn’t. They didn’t mind to be different than everyone else around them if it meant doing right. For this we see God’s blessing and provision.
- Chapter 2 verse 5: King Nebuchadnezzar was asking for something humanly impossible. But looking back to chapter 1 verse 17 we see God gave Daniel understanding in all visions and dreams. Chapter 2 verse 18 Daniel holds a prayer meeting. He knows God can reveal the dream and its meaning to him. From this we see that nothing is hid from God. The king didn’t even remember his dream enough to tell the men what it was, but God knew. James 4:2 reminds us that we have not because we ask not. Daniel knew God was all he needed, he knew God was able, and he didn’t hesitate to call on God.
- Chapter 2 verse 19: Daniel immediately blesses God for answering him. Do we remember to praise God for answers? Or do we just keep shoving our list of wants in His face?
- Chapter 2 verse 28: But God! Daniel tells the king where the answer came from. Do we publicly share with others what God has done for us? I am sure that Daniel was influenced by his parents. Do our children hear us praise the Lord?
- Chapter 2 verse 47: Nebuchadnezzar recognizes Daniel’s God as the God of gods and Lord of kings and instructs everyone to worship Him. Daniel’s stance for God influenced those around him. The king first and an entire country! What an impact!
- Chapter 2 verses 49-49: Daniel is promoted by the king and his request for his friends to be promoted is granted. God protected and blessed them for their obedience and faithfulness to Him. Do we recognize God’s working in our lives? Even in the midst of trials? Daniel and his friends chose to follow God BEFORE they were taken into captivity, not after. You can’t wait until trials come to decide to follow God. We must decide this NOW, so our foundation is built before the trials come.
- Chapter 3 verse 1: Nebuchandezzar turns to idol worship and commands everyone to do the same. How quickly he forgot his words in Chapter 2 verse 47! Are we like Nebuchadnezzar? Do we recognize and worship God one day, and the next go back to our idols? He’s so focused on this idol that he wants anyone killed that will not bow to the idol, including the men that he just promoted! Talk about a short memory!
- Chapter 3 verse 15: The end of the verse Nebuchadnezzar says “…But if ye worship not, ye shall be cast the same hour into the midst of the burning fiery furnace; and who is that God that shall deliver you out of my hands?” Did he really forget God’s existence? Or His abilities? Do we forget God’s abilities or His presence in our lives? I sure hope not!
- Chapter 3 verses 17-18: They had already decided to follow God BEFORE the trials came. They weren’t changing their stance. Even at the top of the burning furnace.
- Chapter 3 verse 22: The king’s men died at the mouth of the fiery furnace because of the king’s commandment to increase the heat. Your choices WILL have consequences. You are not the only one who will be affected by those consequences. These men died that day. It’s possible they had wives and children who now did not have their husband and father. Such a tragedy! You cannot choose the consequences of your actions.
- Chapter 3 verse 25: The men were loosed from whatever was used to bind them up. God is a God of freedom, not bondage! AMEN!
- Chapter 3 verses 29-30: God’s might is shown for all to see. Again, Nebuchadnezzar makes a decree that God is to be worshipped and the men are to be promoted. When we are faithful, others see God through us! That should be the desire of every Christian.
God rewards faithfulness. Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah were 100% sold out for God. They were not looking for a way out. They did not have a plan B. They simply said “If it be so, our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the burning fiery furnace, and he will deliver us out of thine hand, O king. But if not, be it known unto thee, O king, that we will not serve thy gods or worship the golden image which thou hast set up.” (3:17-18)
Their “but if not” was not an exit plan or a doubt. They did not doubt God’s ability. They were willing to accept God’s will. They’d either be delivered out of the furnace, or they’d be martyrs for the cause of God, and wake up in Heaven. Can you think of a better deliverance? Far too many of us have forgotten that this world is not our final home. We have lost sight of Heaven. We will be delivered from our earthly trials one way or another. Here or in glory. Either way, God is faithful.
I hope you choose to follow Him completely today.
With Hope in His Service,
Heather
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