Daniel 1-3

http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Daniel%201-3&version=ESV

Today, our reading begins in Daniel, chapters 1 to 3.

This is such a great book, and I don't feel I am giving it justice by focusing on only 1 of the chapters, but for brevity, I must.

So, today, let's look at Daniel chapter 3.

This is a well known story to most of us. Nebuchadnezzar made a statue of gold and required everyone to worship it.

The Chaldeans maliciously accused the Jews and told Nebuchadnezzar that Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego paid no attention to him; they did not serve his gods or worship the golden image that he set up.

So, Nebuchadnezzar summoned the three and asked them if they would worship the image, and they said they would not. So Nebuchadnezzar ordered that they be thrown into the furnace.

It is here where the three show their true faith. They tell Nebuchadnezzar:

"Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego answered and said to the king, “O Nebuchadnezzar, we have no need to answer you in this matter. If this be so, our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the burning fiery furnace, and he will deliver us out of your hand, O king. But if not, be it known to you, O king, that we will not serve your gods or worship the golden image that you have set up.”

What a wonderful testimony to God these three have!! They were willing to risk their lives for the Lord. Are we willing to do that?

This also is a great example of when statutes of the state and Christian beliefs are in conflict, our Christian beliefs, must prevail. God has ordained our leaders to lead. Even if we do not agree with their policies, we must obey them.

As Paul wrote in Romans 13:1-2

"Let every person be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and those that exist have been instituted by God. Therefore whoever resists the authorities resists what God has appointed, and those who resist will incur judgment. "

There are debates on this, as to should we have revolted against Britain, etc... What I would say, and what a good and wise Christian friend told me, is that we are not responsible for the actions of our forefathers. Some of what they did, undoubtedly was not based on the Bible.

But we are responsible for today and how we interact with the culture for Christ on a moment by moment basis.

These three in chapter three of Daniel had a strong faith. A faith in which if they lived or died, they would be content with the Lord. That we would have a faith like they did. I pray that each of us is ready if a day like this comes to our nation.

Soli Deo Gloria.

Today's post was submitted by Russ Shellhamer.