Day 7 – Is it just me or is it getting hot in here?

Read Daniel 3: 19 – 30

King Nebuchadnezzar was extremely angry. His will had been denied, his pride had been wounded, his supposed supreme authority had been disregarded by these youths and he decided to make them pay. The king was so angry that he stoked the furnace to the point that it killed even the handlers who were commanded to throw the Hebrew boys into the furnace. The king wanted them dead for their insolence but he would soon learn the lesson that their God, not his gods or even him, was truly in control.

The Hebrew boys were spared because they had absolute commitment to God. They had absolute confidence in God and knew that he could deliver them from the furnace if he chose. They had absolute courage because of God and they stood firm. Proverbs 29:25 says, “The fear of man brings a snare, but whoever trusts in the Lord shall be safe.” Because of their faith, God was exalted and glorified. Their deliverance was remarkable, sudden, and miraculous. Their enemies were executed, their bonds were burned, their hearts were encouraged, their lives were ensured, and their influence was enlarged.

Idolatry can be very subtle. Even the good gifts of God, when inordinately valued, can take the place that only God should have in our lives. The opinion of others, fear of looking good, a desire for control, a fear of confrontation, busyness, or any number of things can compete with the will of God in our lives. Family, friends, work, hobbies, music are all good things that can rob God of his rightful place.

Q1: Are you facing a “fiery furnace” in your life right now? Is there conflict or worry or fear of the future that is occupying your thoughts and pushing God off the throne of your heart? How are you responding? What can you learn from the response of the three Hebrew boys that might help you?

Q2. When the Hebrew boys had a chance to take a stand for God, they never wavered and God was glorified because of their commitment. If our purpose in life is to reflect God’s glory to the world in which we live, how are you fulfilling that purpose? Where are you taking a stand that reflects glory?

Q3: We can sometimes be quick to doubt God’s presence when we face the fiery furnace or our own trial. We can be quick to say “How could this happen to me or How can I believe in a God who allows this? Difficulties and trials turn up the heat in our lives and our faith and commitment to God is tested. What does this story teach us about suffering? When you face a difficult circumstance do you doubt God or do you have the assurance, he is walking in the trial with you?

Final thought: Throughout the Old Testament, Israel was constantly exposed to the idol worship of its neighbors. Idols of wood, metal, clay, stone. Some idols were very small and actually were worn on clothing as amulets. In the New Testament the concept of idols is extended to include anything in which we place our confidence other than God.