An About-face~

A few interesting footnotes to this passage in Daniel.

Nebuchadnezzar, the very one who made the statue and demanded it be worshipped, now has a different opinion.  He witnessed a miracle and immediately recognized the Most High God at work.  Others witnessed it as well.  They saw with their own eyes that the fire had not harmed them and that there was not even the smell of fire on them.  Can you imagine all those folks gathered around sniffing these guys? 

What results when we are confident in our faith, spend time with Jesus during our trial, and emerge victorious?      

Daniel 3:28-30 “Then Nebuchadnezzar said, ‘Praise be to the God of Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego, who has 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.  Therefore I decree that the people of any nation or language who say anything against the God of Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego be cut into pieces and their houses be turned into piles of rubble, for no other god can save in this way.’ Then the king promoted Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego in the province of Babylon.”

Even the worst of the worst recognize that God is worthy to be praised when He shows up, does His thing, and rescues us.  There’s no denying that “no other god can save” in the way we need to be saved.  Others around us marvel at what God does in our lives and maybe, just maybe, that’s the push they need to invite Christ into their lives.  I have seen firsthand how God has saved marriages, restored health, brought babies to infertile couples, brought love into lonely lives, brought peace where only torment had existed, brought joy where depression abounded, brought financial miracles just in time, and supernaturally protected children from accidents, and it has bolstered my faith like nothing else!

And while I wouldn’t go as far as decreeing that “people be cut into pieces” if they say anything against God, I won’t allow anyone in my presence to take His name in vain or be disrespectful.  God is just too loving, too awesome, and too beautiful to me for me to be in that kind of atmosphere. 

Last but not least, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego were promoted by the very king who tried to kill them.  Talk about an about-face!  God takes the thing that had us freaked out and struggling in the first place and turns it around to be a source of blessing.  Amen!

PRAYER: Dear Lord, Thank You that we get blessed and so do others when You show up and save us.  You are worthy to be praised, and Your name is sacred.  Glory to Your name, and we invite You to pour our Your strength, joy, health, provision, and peace into us and our families.  In Jesus’ name, AMEN!