
Daniel 3:1-18
Verse 18 “But even if he does not, we want you to know, Your Majesty, that we will not serve your gods or worship the image of gold you have set up.”
We have been talking about the importance of remembering and helping younger generations remember what God has done and how important it is to worship only God. Today we get a glimpse of how teaching the younger generation what God can do, will help them stand for God even when it isn’t popular.
King Nebuchadnezzar was on a power trip. This statue he had built was quite the statement, ninety feet high and nine feet wide. Not only that, he invited all the officials from near and far to come to the dedication and see it.
As the crowds gathered around the statue the king’s herald reveals the big plans for this dedication. There would be music and there would be worship. As soon as the music started all were expected to fall to the ground and worship. Notice this posture of required worship. This is a posture of submission and the sad part it wasn’t totally voluntary since if they didn’t obey the order then they would be thrown immediately into the fiery furnace. The king knew he would get what he wanted because who would want to be burned to death?
What the king didn’t anticipate were three of the young Jewish men defying his order. The young men that he had thought to be 10 times wiser than all the other young men (Daniel 1:20)! He was furious with them but offered to give them a second chance to worship his statue because what other god could save them from the flames. What god indeed!
They couldn’t be persuaded because they knew the one true God, not just with a surface knowledge but with a heart knowledge. They had been raised to know God and had been away from family, living in a foreign land under strange laws. They were with Daniel and followed his lead about diet (Daniel 1:11-16) and had seen firsthand what God can do. But notice the second part of their argument from our key verse for the day. “But even if He doesn’t…” Can you say that in your life?
Making It Personal
What in your life could use a reality check of “but even if He doesn’t…” I will still worship Him? What does that kind of faith say about a person’s relationship with God? Do you want a relationship like that with God?
Making It Personal Kids
What does it mean to say this is my very favorite? Do you know that God wants to be your very favorite? Do you want Him to be your very favorite?
Closing Prayer
Father, You alone are worthy of praise and worship. Thank You for examples like these 3 men to remind us that it may not be popular but You are to be the One we worship every day, all day. In Jesus’ name, amen.
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