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.[b] 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.”
S(cripture) - 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. 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.
O(bservation) - Feeling pressure to conform to our culture's expectation of Christmas? Think about Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego. For these guys, failure to conform (worship a gold statue whenever the Babylonian national anthem was played) meant death, not by lethal injection, but by baking. Death by baking. This would be very low on my list of ways I would hope to die. And the three told the most powerful man on the planet - "sorry, we just can't do it. God first. We can only worship God." The king on hearing this told them to get the furnace going seven times hotter (quick death better than slow burn?)
You can read the rest of the story here.
So when the culture pressures you to spend money you don't have or family pressures you to spend on people who don't need it, think about these guys. Who do you want to answer to - God or Aunt Hazel? Who do you want to please - God or Cousin Bennie?
A(pplication) - The power and pull to conform is strong in all of us. But Paul reminded us yesterday to not be conformed to the patterns of this world but to be transformed by the renewing of our minds. How can we renew? by meditating on God's Word - SOAPing it up. By memorizing a scripture (like Romans 12:1-2) - and pulling it out when tempted. Our temptations to conform are subtle and require vigilance. It's hard when what everyone considers normal is not in alignment with God's will. But this is what it means to be a witness. Your faith calls for transformation.
P(rayer) - Abba, renew us. renew me. May we find comfort in conforming together to Your standards of giving and sharing. Lead us to your Words that point to how we should live and give in this Advent season. Amen.
No comments:
Post a Comment