Spend time in prayer and silence with God asking Him to meet with you and speak to you.
Bible Reading
King Nebuchadnezzar made an image of gold, ninety feet high and nine feet wide, and set it up on the plain of Dura in the province of Babylon. Then the herald loudly proclaimed, “This is what you are commanded to do, O peoples, nations and men of every language: As soon as you hear the sound of the horn, flute, zither, lyre, harp, pipes and all kinds of music, you must fall down and worship the image of gold that king Nebuchadnezzar has set up. Whoever does not fall down and worship will immediately be thrown into a blazing furnace.” At this time, some astrologers came forward and denounced the Jews. “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, O king. They neither serve your gods nor worship the image of gold you have set up.” Furious with rage, Nebuchadnezzar summoned Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego. So these men were brought before the king, and Nebuchadnezzar said to them, “Is it true that you do not serve my gods or worship the image of gold I have set up? 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?” Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego replied to the king: “O Nebuchadnezzar, we do not need to defend ourselves before you in this matter. If we are thrown into a blazing furnace, the God we serve is able to save us from it, and He will rescue us from your hand, O king. 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 3:1, 4-6, 8, 12-18
Devotion
Like Daniel, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego were faced with a difficult decision. They must deny their faith and their God by worshipping a manmade idol or face death. They boldly proclaim their faith in YAHWEH and refuse to give into the pressure, even the fear of death! Like Daniel, these were men of strong character who feared (revered) God more than anything else. They would rather face the wrath of an earthly king than deny their sovereign Lord.
The Big Question
What would you do if you were in this same situation? Would your faith cause you to say, “God is able to save me.”? Throughout the centuries, millions of believers have had to face this difficult decision. Many have been martyred for their faith. Here in America, we have not had to face this kind of persecution. If that day comes, will you have confident assurance in God’s ability to save you in the end?
Conclude your time in prayer and silence reflecting on what you have learned.