Boldly Living for God

Scripture: Daniel 3:16-18 Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego answered King Nebuchadnezzar, "Your threat means nothing to us. If you throw us in the fire, the God we serve can rescue us from your roaring furnace and anything else you might cook up, O king. But even if he doesn't, it wouldn't make a bit of difference, O king. We still wouldn't serve your gods or worship the gold statue you set up."

Observation: King N has decided that he would create a golden statue that everyone would bow to and pray to. However, S,M,A were not going to have anything to do with it. Even though they had reached a level of authority above the common folk, they had their faith in God. Even faced with a death by fire they refused to turn their back on God. An important part in this was they did not know what the will of God was in this situation. They did not know if God would save them from the furnice or not, but what every the outcome they were resolute with it. "But even if he doesn't, it wouldn't make a bit of difference." The bottom line is they were going to be faithful to God.

Application: How hard is it to stay faithful even in the face of death? It would have been so easy for them to bow and save their lives and yet they knew that their lives were a gift from God. In my life today, there are many occasions to bow before the golden statue and deny God. It is constantly being aware of the big picture that is necessary to overcome. I must keep my eyes upon God and constantly place Him first in my life.

Prayer: It is so easy to bow down before other gods. To place them first, especially in difficult times. Lord, give me the strength and desire to continuously place you first in everything that I do. Amen