Walk Out of The Fire 09.15.08

Hello My Friend/Guest,

Today we are beginning our studies on the book of Daniel, please read Chapters 1-3 in your Bible or Click Here to read online. Cut & paste to your browser: biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Daniel%201-3&version=9

Today we will read and learn about Daniel rejecting the kings food; Daniel interpreting Nebuchadnezzar's dream; and Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego in a fiery frunace. Today's message focuses on the importance of realizing that no matter how much opposition we face we can not walk away from God. He is truly the only one who can pull us out of the burning fire. The book of Daniel is the 27th book of the Old Testament and contains 12 chapters. The author of the book was Daniel and it was originally written to the Jews that were captive in Babylon. The purpose of the book was to show that God rules all the affairs of men. What we learn from the book is that God is in control and He honors all who honor Him.

Shortly after Nebuchadnezzar took the Israelites captive Daniel as well as others were given new names in order to identify them as citizens of Babylon, "Now among these were of the children of Judah, Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah: Unto whom the prince of the eunuchs gave names: for he gave unto Daniel the name of Belteshazzar; and to Hananiah, of Shadrach; and to Mishael, of Meshach; and to Azariah, of Abednego." (Daniel 1:6-7). This was an attempt to remove their identities as children of God and to teach them to think like and live as the Babylonians. All Hebrew names have special meanings, Daniel's name means God is Judge, the Babylonian's changed his name to Belteshazzar, which means Prince of Baal in hopes that it would remind him that all he newly received and enjoyed was a result of him being the Prince of Baal.

Now, Nebachadnezzar had dreams that troubled him so he sought magicians, astrologers, and other sorts of who he called wise men to interpret them. However, these men could not and as a result he ordered all the wise men, including Daniel to be killed. (Daniel 2:1-13). While being attained Daniel and his friends prayed and God revealed to Daniel in a night vision what Nebuchadnezzar's dream meant, freeing Daniel and his friends (Daniel 2:36-45). "Then the king Nebuchadnezzar fell upon his face, and worshipped Daniel, and commanded that they should offer an oblation and sweet odours unto him." (2:46).

Nebuchadnezzar then made a gold image and gathered all the high powered people together. "Nebuchadnezzar the king made an image of gold, whose height was threescore cubits, and the breadth thereof six cubits: he set it up in the plain of Dura, in the province of Babylon. Then Nebuchadnezzar the king sent to gather together the princes, the governors, and the captains, the judges, the treasurers, the counsellors, the sheriffs, and all the rulers of the provinces, to come to the dedication of the image which Nebuchadnezzar the king had set up." (3:1-2). When it came time for the ceremony all the people were to bow down and worship this image at the appointed time and whoever did not would be thrown into a firey furnace.

All, but three men obeyed this command, Daniel's friends, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego (3:10-12). These men had faith in the One True God and were not about to worship a false god no matter how fatal it looked. Their faith was so strong that when they were thrown into that furnace they not only survived, they danced and worshiped God. Nebuchadnezzar then knew that it was God who was with them and let them go. "Then Nebuchadnezzar spake, and said, Blessed be the God of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, who hath sent his angel, and delivered his servants that trusted in him, and have changed the king's word, and yielded their bodies, that they might not serve nor worship any god, except their own God. Therefore I make a decree, That every people, nation, and language, which speak any thing amiss against the God of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, shall be cut in pieces, and their houses shall be made a dunghill: because there is no other God that can deliver after this sort." (3:28-29).

Today, Daniel and his friends are examples that we must all follow, in a world that strives at worshipping idols and false gods we must hold on to our faith. Jesus said, "No man can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon. Therefore I say unto you, Take no thought for your life, what ye shall eat, or what ye shall drink; nor yet for your body, what ye shall put on. Is not the life more than meat, and the body than raiment?" (Matthew 6:24-25).

Today's Prayer:
Dear Lord,
The commandments that You give are to be impressed upon our hearts. When our acts of obedience come from the heart Your love motivates us to obey Your commands and Your holiness teaches us to align our desires with Your own. Help us to be extremely cautious about new teachings that are pleasing to the ear and popular with our present generation, but do not bear witness with our spirit. As we study Your Holy Word, from cover to cover, and meditate upon Your principles we will hold on to that which is of most importance and pass on to those who come behind the faith that was once for all entrusted to the saints of all generations. In Jesus' name.....Amen.

Have a great & blessed day!
God Bless,
Christina

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