Posted December 17, 2006; back-dated.
Today´s reading:
OT: Daniel 2:20-, Daniel 3
NT: I Peter 4:7-19, I Peter 5
Ps: Psalm 119:81-96
Pr: Proverbs 28:15-16
Today´s notable verse:
17 If we are thrown into the blazing furnace, the God we serve is able to save us from it, and he will rescue us from your hand, O king. 18 But even if he does not, we want you to know, O king, that we will not serve your gods or worship the image of gold you have set up.
Daniel 3:17-18 (NIV)
Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego had such exemplary faith and confidence in God! They knew their very lives were in God's control, and were not willing to compromise their beliefs in order to take that control in their own hands. They faced certain death in the furnace rather than worship a false god. They did not know whether or not God would rescue them from that death, but they did know that, no matter what, God was still God. They controlled the only thing they could absolutely control: their own obedience to God's Law. And Nebuchadnezzar's response reminds me of a verse in First Peter from a couple days ago:
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.
Daniel 3:28 (NIV)
Live such good lives among the pagans that, though they accuse you of doing wrong, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day he visits us.
I Peter 2:12 (NIV)
The One Year Bible Blog´s comments for today.