We use the word trust in many different settings and apply it to many facets of our lives but have we really looked at what it means to truly “trust?” Daniel is a perfect example of having trust . . . that is he put his “trust” or FAITH in the One true God. Daniel had been taken and deported to Babylon by Nebuchadnezzar in 605 B.C, where he remained for 70 years. Daniel’s book gives us a glimpse into the awesomeness of God and the control He has over all of the earth and heaven. The same is true today. God is in control and regardless of how it looks or appears to us from our narrow view point, we must “trust” that He knows what is right and will handle things accordingly. Take for example Daniel and his buddies who were asked to worship King Nebuchadnezzar’s statue that was 90 feet tall. This statue was created so that the King could force everyone to worship his god and no other but Daniel and his friends refused. In verse 13-18 of Daniel chapter 3 we see the king enraged because Daniel and his friends stood their ground, refusing to bow down to an idol. The King gives the order to toss the young men into a furnace for their disobedience (Dan 3:19) an he orders the furnace be as hot as possible – seven times hotter than usual. In one translation (Gods Word Translation) it is said that the fire was so hot the guards who tied up Daniel and his friends were burned up because they stood too close to the fire. Imagine that . . . a fire being so hot that you burn by being too close to it. Verse 21-28 takes us through a visual of the men being thrown into a furnace fully clothed and left to die. But that death did not happen. They were joined by another. Another who protected them and walked through the fire with them (Dan 3:25-26). My point is simply this . . . if you place your trust in man, your car, your home, your children, even your abilities, you are setting yourself up for disappointment and failure. God is the only ONE who can take you by the hand and walk with you through the trials and storms of this life. No one person can save you. Only God Himself through a relationship with Jesus will you truly be saved. To know Jesus is to KNOW the FATHER. Daniel and his friends knew God, they trusted Him and were willing to burn up in the fire rather than be forced to surrender to another god. How will you stand when faced with a similar situation? Will you walk through the fire for God? Will you shout the name of Jesus and submit to Him only or will you take what is forced upon you so you may live today? It is time to decide . . . don’t delay. Be blessed and place your trust in God today, Much love to you all, Jerri Daniel 3:1-30 (NIV) 1 King Nebuchadnezzar made an image of gold, sixty cubits high and six cubits wide,1 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.” 7 Therefore, as soon as they heard the sound of the horn, flute, zither, lyre, harp and all kinds of music, all the nations and peoples of every language fell down and worshiped the image of gold that King Nebuchadnezzar had set up. 8 At this time some astrologers2 came forward and denounced the Jews. 9 They said to King Nebuchadnezzar, “May the king live forever! 10 Your Majesty has issued a decree that everyone who hears the sound of the horn, flute, zither, lyre, harp, pipe and all kinds of music must fall down and worship the image of gold, 11 and that whoever does not fall down and worship will be thrown into a blazing furnace. 12 But there are some Jews whom you have set over the affairs of the province of Babylon—Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego—who pay no attention to you, Your Majesty. They neither serve your gods nor worship the image of gold you have set up.” 13 Furious with rage, Nebuchadnezzar summoned Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego. So these men were brought before the king, 14 and Nebuchadnezzar said to them, “Is it true, Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego, that you do not serve my gods or worship the image of gold I have set up? 15 Now when you hear the sound of the horn, flute, zither, lyre, harp, pipe and all kinds of music, if you are ready to fall down and worship the image I made, very good. But if you do not worship it, you will be thrown immediately into a blazing furnace. Then what god will be able to rescue you from my hand?” 16 Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego replied to him, “King Nebuchadnezzar, we do not need to defend ourselves before you in this matter. 17 If we are thrown into the blazing furnace, the God we serve is able to deliver us from it, and he will deliver us3 from Your Majesty’s hand. 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.” 19 Then Nebuchadnezzar was furious with Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego, and his attitude toward them changed. He ordered the furnace heated seven times hotter than usual 20 and commanded some of the strongest soldiers in his army to tie up Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego and throw them into the blazing furnace. 21 So these men, wearing their robes, trousers, turbans and other clothes, were bound and thrown into the blazing furnace. 22 The king’s command was so urgent and the furnace so hot that the flames of the fire killed the soldiers who took up Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego, 23 and these three men, firmly tied, fell into the blazing furnace. 24 Then King Nebuchadnezzar leaped to his feet in amazement and asked his advisers, “Weren’t there three men that we tied up and threw into the fire?” They replied, “Certainly, Your Majesty.” 25 He said, “Look! I see four men walking around in the fire, unbound and unharmed, and the fourth looks like a son of the gods.” 26 Nebuchadnezzar then approached the opening of the blazing furnace and shouted, “Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego, servants of the Most High God, come out! Come here!” So Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego came out of the fire, 27 and the satraps, prefects, governors and royal advisers crowded around them. They saw that the fire had not harmed their bodies, nor was a hair of their heads singed; their robes were not scorched, and there was no smell of fire on them. 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. 29 Therefore I decree that the people of any nation or language who say anything against the God of Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego be cut into pieces and their houses be turned into piles of rubble, for no other god can save in this way.” 30 Then the king promoted Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego in the province of Babylon.
Posted on: Thu, 29 Aug 2013 10:05:36 +0000
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