Daniel: Humble Servant, Faithful God - Resting in God; Resisting the World

As we continue in Daniel, we come to a familiar story of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego refusing to worship the statue Nebuchadnezzar erects. As readers, we ask, “Why is Daniel sharing this story with the people of God who are in Babylonian exile?” These three servants of the Lord represent humble servants who remain committed to God as the world mandates they worship the gods of their invention. It’s a call to faithfulness for God’s people; it’s a presentation of courage; it’s a statement of what’s important and true; and it’s a testimony of God’s power and presence.

As God’s people, exiled in a world that is not our final home, we need this message. Every day the gods of this world are being presented to us and increasingly we are being threatened if we don’t assimilate. The primary god being promoted today is the modern view of the self. The real you is the inner you, how you think and feel inside. Reality is not the construct God reveals in his word, for that would make God our authority. Reality is inside you and the construct is changing to allow for its expression. If you resist, you’re part of the problem and will be resisted.

Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah present us with the challenge of living in God’s reality. Join us Sunday as we explore this text together and worship the Lord.