The stories from the book of Daniel we
have heard this week have been so vivid, appealing to our sense of imagination
and wonder. Monday we heard the story of Suzanna. Today, we hear the wonderful story of
Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, of how they put their faith into action. These men had confidence in God that went way
beyond delivering them from the fiery furnace.
When they faced the situation of worshipping an idol or demonstrating
their fidelity to God, they were not persuaded by the apparent consequence of
that decision. They seem indifferent as
to whether or not God would save them from the fires of the furnace. They believed that God had the power to save
them, but that it was his choice whether he would save them or not. They followed God and they believed in him,
because he was God, because of the reality of who he was. What a remarkable faith these men had!
Nebuchadnezzar thought of himself in
god-like terms, asking “Who is the God who can deliver you out of my
hands?” He was shocked at the audacity
of anyone who could imagine himself more powerful than he is. Nebuchadnezzar initially reacts with
rage. Perhaps we ourselves react with
rage and anger to God’s will & presence in our own lives when things do not
go our way.
Let us pray today that God may save us
from the blindness we often have in failing to recognize the works of God in
our midst. May God open our eyes to his
mighty works as they are present in the day-to-day reality of our lives. May each of us recognize and accept God's
answers to our questions about who he is.
And may we respond with humility and gratitude.
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