Obedience Tested

Daniel 3 (NLT)

Nebuchadnezzar’s Gold Statue

1 King Nebuchadnezzar made a gold statue ninety feet tall and nine feet wide and set it up on the plain of Dura in the province of Babylon. 2 Then he sent messages to the high officers, officials, governors, advisers, treasurers, judges, magistrates, and all the provincial officials to come to the dedication of the statue he had set up. 3 So all these officials came and stood before the statue King Nebuchadnezzar had set up.

4 Then a herald shouted out, “People of all races and nations and languages, listen to the king’s command! 5 When you hear the sound of the horn, flute, zither, lyre, harp, pipes, and other musical instruments, bow to the ground to worship King Nebuchadnezzar’s gold statue. 6 Anyone who refuses to obey will immediately be thrown into a blazing furnace.”

7 So at the sound of the musical instruments, all the people, whatever their race or nation or language, bowed to the ground and worshiped the gold statue that King Nebuchadnezzar had set up.

8 But some of the astrologers went to the king and informed on the Jews. 9 They said to King Nebuchadnezzar, “Long live the king! 10 You issued a decree requiring all the people to bow down and worship the gold statue when they hear the sound of the horn, flute, zither, lyre, harp, pipes, and other musical instruments. 11 That decree also states that those who refuse to obey must be thrown into a blazing furnace. 12 But there are some Jews—Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego—whom you have put in charge of the province of Babylon. They pay no attention to you, Your Majesty. They refuse to serve your gods and do not worship the gold statue you have set up.”

13 Then Nebuchadnezzar flew into a rage and ordered that Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego be brought before him. When they were brought in, 14 Nebuchadnezzar said to them, “Is it true, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, that you refuse to serve my gods or to worship the gold statue I have set up? 15 I will give you one more chance to bow down and worship the statue I have made when you hear the sound of the musical instruments. But if you refuse, you will be thrown immediately into the blazing furnace. And then what god will be able to rescue you from my power?”

16 Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego replied, “O Nebuchadnezzar, we do not need to defend ourselves before you. 17 If we are thrown into the blazing furnace, the God whom we serve is able to save us. He will rescue us from your power, Your Majesty. 18 But even if he doesn’t, we want to make it clear to you, Your Majesty, that we will never serve your gods or worship the gold statue you have set up.”

The Blazing Furnace

19 Nebuchadnezzar was so furious with Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego that his face became distorted with rage. He commanded that the furnace be heated seven times hotter than usual. 20 Then he ordered some of the strongest men of his army to bind Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego and throw them into the blazing furnace. 21 So they tied them up and threw them into the furnace, fully dressed in their pants, turbans, robes, and other garments. 22 And because the king, in his anger, had demanded such a hot fire in the furnace, the flames killed the soldiers as they threw the three men in. 23 So Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, securely tied, fell into the roaring flames.

24 But suddenly, Nebuchadnezzar jumped up in amazement and exclaimed to his advisers, “Didn’t we tie up three men and throw them into the furnace?”

“Yes, Your Majesty, we certainly did,” they replied.

25 “Look!” Nebuchadnezzar shouted. “I see four men, unbound, walking around in the fire unharmed! And the fourth looks like a god!”

26 Then Nebuchadnezzar came as close as he could to the door of the flaming furnace and shouted: “Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, servants of the Most High God, come out! Come here!”

So Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego stepped out of the fire. 27 Then the high officers, officials, governors, and advisers crowded around them and saw that the fire had not touched them. Not a hair on their heads was singed, and their clothing was not scorched. They didn’t even smell of smoke!

28 Then Nebuchadnezzar said, “Praise to the God of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego! He sent his angel to rescue his servants who trusted in him. They defied the king’s command and were willing to die rather than serve or worship any god except their own God. 29 Therefore, I make this decree: If any people, whatever their race or nation or language, speak a word against the God of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, they will be torn limb from limb, and their houses will be turned into heaps of rubble. There is no other god who can rescue like this!”

30 Then the king promoted Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego to even higher positions in the province ofBabylon.

This present economic state has so many of us going through valleys, some of us have almost given up looking for the mountaintop experiences that are inevitably supposed to flank each valley experience. The road ahead looks so bleak, we think the light up ahead is only that of another truck barreling toward us to do us harm. Let's face it, life can look really grim when your finances are in question. Let's be real about this.Some of us know that God is our source and the job is our resource, but some days it's really difficult to tell our flesh to be quiet and stop griping! We want the creature comforts. We've gotten used to certain luxuries and will fight hard to hold onto them We may even compromise our standards just to hold onto some of those creature comforts to which we have become so accustomed. Sad part about that is, after the compromise has been made, the consequences are often much more dire than that for which we bargained.So then we go right back into the dark cycle we just exited. Let's take a lesson from the four Hebrew boys and stand firm, even in the midst of the hottest fire of our lives; we have to believe with every fiber of our being, and when that belief fails, we have to beg God to help our unbelief and help us hang on with that mustard seed of faith He gave to us.

V. 4: "Then a herald shouted out, “People of all races and nations and languages, listen to the king’s command!" Even when the laws go out for the country, or the rules go out for the company, or the leaders create a new policy, if it goes against what God has decreed, be prepared to take a stand that may cost you everything. Everyone else may line up with what “they” say, but if you have to stand alone, follow the instructions to the Corinthians and “come out from among them.” If you are acting in obedience to God, then stand, even if it is alone.

V. 8: "But some of the astrologers went to the king and informed on the Jews." There will always be informers, reporters, gossips, and backbiters who are watching your every move, waiting to pounce on your first mistake. Be encouraged that if you’re walking upright before the Lord, let them talk all they want; only God’s Word will stand at the end.

V. 16: "Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego replied, “O Nebuchadnezzar, we do not need to defend ourselves before you." You do not need to argue, debate or defend your position or stance; God will do it for you, as long as you remain obedient to His Word.

Because of your refusal to bow to satan’s will, he will throw a fit! He will try to kill you, literally or figuratively, but however he comes at you, his aim is to take you out! Be prepared for the fight of your life! Be assured, however, the fight is not one where you battle the enemy on his terms; the battle will be against your own flesh wanting to rise up in retaliation to the attack. Again follow the example of the Hebrew boys and continue in your obedience to God. Let God do the fighting for you. Only He can defeat the enemy on every hand in an all-out war.

V. 24-25: "But suddenly, Nebuchadnezzar jumped up in amazement and exclaimed to his advisers, “Didn’t we tie up three men and throw them into the furnace?” “Yes, Your Majesty, we certainly did,” they replied.“Look!” Nebuchadnezzar shouted. “I see four men, unbound, walking around in the fire unharmed! And the fourth looks like a god!” Rest assured though that even in the midst of this firestorm, you won’t be alone. Even your enemies will see God walking with you, and be astounded as he helps you make it through this firestorm. While you serve God under the current assault against your obedience, you will find your freedom restored—you’ll be able to walk around unfettered, unencumbered, unbound and unconcerned, even in the midst of the worst storm you’ve ever encountered.

V. 27: "They didn’t even smell of smoke!" When you finally emerge, no one will even find evidence that you were in the fight of your life. Those around you, friends and enemies, who know you were going through a trial, will crowd around wondering how you made it over. You will be so engrossed in your obedience to God, the very ones who attacked you will be the ones who will have to call you out of the furnace; you won’t even be aware that the trouble and immediate threat that was supposed to have put you under has passed!

And then! Even the heathen, the witches, the sorcerers, the purveyors of the very evil that tried to take you out, will have to admit that not only is there a GOD, but that the very GOD you serve, to Whom you have been so obedient, to Whom all honor, glory, dominion, power, strength, prayer and praise belong, is GOD and GOD alone! Then and only then will promotion come. And not the type of promotion that comes from a job (although that may come as well, if you serve the GOD Who gives most liberally), but the kind of spiritual promotion that even man will recognize as favor. That’s when people will start to ask “well, where did you come from? Seems like you just “appeared” out of the woodwork.” This from the same ones who just saw you emerge from the fire. Check the record. Ask Moses, Abram, Elijah, Joshua, Paul, Peter...they all went through a “fiery furnace” before their promotion.

So know that you do not go through a trial for no reason. God does not allow needless suffering. He doesn’t like to have His children suffer, but sometimes our disobedience brings about consequences that He as a Father, although His heart breaks at our suffering, knows that this suffering will drive us closer to Him. All He can do is wait until we have reached the point where we turn to Him and listen to Him alone. He doesn’t like the suffering any more than we do, but He knows that it will bring about the best result in the final analysis.

There are also the circumstances where we have been obedient (look at Job!), but we need our focus to be “kicked up a notch” and a firestorm is the only way to “kick” us out of a place of comfort. Again, God doesn’t like the suffering, but as in the other circumstance, He is there every step of the way, guiding us and waiting for us to look to Him for the way out, or at least the comfort while the storm is raging around us. Our obedience in the midst of each and every circumstance will either grow or wane, depending on our faith and focus.

God has given to each of us a measure of faith, and He is the Author and Finisher (or Perfecter) of that faith, so it would make sense to go to Him to help make that faith grow and carry us through each circumstance in life. Sadly, not all will do that, and the end result for those who fail to go to God will be confusion and resentment because they do not see the reason for the suffering. But it is those who go through each trial with their eyes focused on Jesus who will see the victory. They may not get an immediate answer, but the peace that accompanies their journey will be the proof that God has been there at every turn. God is a Rewarder of them who diligently seek Him, and our obedience is part of the evidence of us seeking Him. It is up to us to cultivate and nurture our obedience, so that we do not even consider disobedience as a viable option. Not saying it’s easy, but it’s not impossible, and with the help of the Comforter and Guide—the Holy Spirit—it can be done.

The Psalmist

Drop or Hang?

I remember seeing a poster some years ago of a kitten hanging on to the end of a rope. The caption read, "Hang in there!" As I considered that caption, I realized that there is more to it for a lot of us. Sometimes 'hanging in there' isn't the best answer, sometimes letting go is what needs to be done. Either way, wisdom has to prevail. The Bible teaches us that wisdom is the principal thing, but that we aren't to lean to our own understanding, but acknowledge God in all our ways so that He can direct our steps. That's where I picked up the rest of the message.

Although what we do all boils down to obedience or disobedience to God's Word and Voice, our faith in that Word and Voice will often determine our level of obedience or disobedience. Take the example of that kitten on that rope. Picture yourself in that kitten's place---barely hanging on. Now you can do one of two things: you can tie a knot in that rope and hang on for dear life, or you can let go. The only way you're going to know beforehand which choice is better is by asking the Lord for His Help. Only He will know what the outcome will be and which outcome is best for you. See, there's the wisdom (yours for looking to His).

You may be wondering, okay, that's really easy looking in from the outside, but no, really, think about this...since God knows what's going to happen anyway, and He only thinks good thoughts towards us, then He always has our good at heart. Now don't get this twisted, the outcome may be for our good, and the actual journey may be extremely painful, but that doesn't mean the decision was wrong, it just means it's going to take tenacity to get to the other side.

Anyway, back to our "kitten" situation. You may think that just letting go may be the best solution, I mean, kittens land on their feet, right? Well, the poster didn't show what was below the kitten. For all we know, there could have been a pool of sharks swimming around below, just out of frame. We also have no idea how long the kitten has been hanging on to that rope, so fatigue may be a major factor. Regardless, we can't just happen upon a scene and make snap decisions about decisions; there is always more to "it" than what our eyes can see. My point is that only God can tell us what we really should do, and to find that out, we have to ask Him. This is where our faith and our obedience really kick in. God may tell us that although we see a pool of sharks below, He wants us to let go. Or, although there may be soft grass just inches below, He may tell us to hang on. The directive offered may seem absurd to our natural eyes, but faith doesn't look through natural eyes.

Remember when I said that our level of obedience or disobedience is all determined by our faith or lack of it? If we believe God, believe on His Word, believe in His Will for our lives, then we'll be obedient. If our faith and belief waver, so too will our obedience. Our level of commitment to follow the teachings of Christ will affect our faith and therefore our level and immediacy of obedience. Not saying it's easy, never will I claim that, but it's easier than making decisions on our own, with no insight or assistance whatsoever.

Yeah, decisions to 'hang in there' or 'just let go' are often life-changing decisions, no doubt, but with the help of the Holy Spirit and the teachings of Jesus Christ, our decisions don't have to be "blind." If we ask God for help, we hear His Answer, and we follow what He says to the letter, we can't go wrong. Others may not get it, but the decision isn't theirs and they don't have to live with the consequences of disobedience (well, maybe they do, but that will be their decision). No matter what it may look like from the outside, as long as the decision is God-led, the outcome will be glorious. Now that's wisdom!

Lovingly posted,

The Psalmist