Daniel 3
What is interesting in this story is how quickly Nebuchadnezzar turns from worshipping God, to idols of gold, then back to God...only when he is able to see miracles such as those when Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego are unharmed by the furnace into which they were thrown.
Here is the king in Daniel chapter 2 after Daniel interprets the king's dream for him:
...then...in Daniel 3 Nebuchadnezzar reverts to his old ways and worships an idol of himself in gold!
The question for me is - am I able to maintain a sense of awe in the greatness of Jesus Christ, my Lord and Savior such that I ONLY worship Him as He commands:
My Prayer: Lord, I am in awe of all that You are, all that You have done - for me and for all those who believe in You. Yet I am not certain if I love You with all of my heart, mind, and soul as You command. Thank You that You love me anyway but please forgive me Jesus. Help deepen my love for You and my trust in You, and my obedience in You. Help me be more like You. Help me so that Your desires are my desires.
28 Then Nebuchadnezzar said, “Praise be to the God of Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego, who has sent his angel and rescued his servants! They trusted in him and defied the king’s command and were willing to give up their lives rather than serve or worship any god except their own God. v28
What is interesting in this story is how quickly Nebuchadnezzar turns from worshipping God, to idols of gold, then back to God...only when he is able to see miracles such as those when Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego are unharmed by the furnace into which they were thrown.
Here is the king in Daniel chapter 2 after Daniel interprets the king's dream for him:
46 Then King Nebuchadnezzar fell prostrate before Daniel and paid him honor and ordered that an offering and incense be presented to him. 47 The king said to Daniel, “Surely your God is the God of gods and the Lord of kings and a revealer of mysteries, for you were able to reveal this mystery.”
...then...in Daniel 3 Nebuchadnezzar reverts to his old ways and worships an idol of himself in gold!
King Nebuchadnezzar made an image of gold, sixty cubits high and six cubits wide,[a] and set it up on the plain of Dura in the province of Babylon. 2 He then summoned the satraps, prefects, governors, advisers, treasurers, judges, magistrates and all the other provincial officials to come to the dedication of the image he had set up. 3 So the satraps, prefects, governors, advisers, treasurers, judges, magistrates and all the other provincial officials assembled for the dedication of the image that King Nebuchadnezzar had set up, and they stood before it.
4 Then the herald loudly proclaimed, “Nations and peoples of every language, this is what you are commanded to do: 5 As soon as you hear the sound of the horn, flute, zither, lyre, harp, pipe and all kinds of music, you must fall down and worship the image of gold that King Nebuchadnezzar has set up. 6 Whoever does not fall down and worship will immediately be thrown into a blazing furnace.” Daniel 3:1-6
The question for me is - am I able to maintain a sense of awe in the greatness of Jesus Christ, my Lord and Savior such that I ONLY worship Him as He commands:
37 Jesus replied: “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ 38 This is the first and greatest commandment. Matthew 22:37-8
My Prayer: Lord, I am in awe of all that You are, all that You have done - for me and for all those who believe in You. Yet I am not certain if I love You with all of my heart, mind, and soul as You command. Thank You that You love me anyway but please forgive me Jesus. Help deepen my love for You and my trust in You, and my obedience in You. Help me be more like You. Help me so that Your desires are my desires.
