In the second year of his reign, King Nebuchadnezzar started having dreams that disturbed him. He called in the Babylonian magicians to interpret his dreams. They said, “Tell us the dream and we will interpret it.” The king answered, “This is my decree: If you can’t tell me the dream and its interpretation, I’ll have you ripped to pieces, limb from limb.” Daniel went to the king and asked for time to interpret the dream.
Daniel prayed and said this, you made a 90–foot–tall statue, so when Daniel finished, King Nebuchadnezzar fell on his face in awe before Daniel. He ordered the offering of sacrifices and burning of incense in Daniel’s honor. He said to Daniel, “Your God is THE GOD OF ALL GODS. And He solves all mysteries, I know, because you’ve solved this mystery.”
Then, “King Nebuchadnezzar made A GOLD STATUE NINETY FEET TALL and nine feet wide and set it up Babylon.” (Daniel 3:1)
So, now the test comes, “A herald shouted out, “All you people, listen to the king’s command! When you hear the sound of the musical instruments, BOW TO THE GROUND to worship King NEBUCHADNEZZAR’S GOLD STATUE. Anyone who refuses to obey will immediately be THROWN INTO A BLAZING FURNACE.” (Daniel 3:4-6)
Some of the astrologers went to the king and said, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego REFUSE TO BOW. “Nebuchadnezzar flew into a rage and ordered that Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego be brought before him. Nebuchadnezzar said you will be thrown immediately into the blazing furnace…what god will be able TO RESCUE YOU from my power? Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego replied, “O Nebuchadnezzar, GOD WILL RESCUE US…some of the strongest men threw them into the blazing furnace…the king…demanded a seven-times hotter fire, the flames killed the soldiers as they threw the three men in.” (Daniel 3:13-22)
“…suddenly, Nebuchadnezzar jumped up in amazement and exclaimed, “Didn’t we tie up three men and throw them into the furnace? “Look!” Nebuchadnezzar shouted. “I SEE FOUR MEN, unbound, walking around in the fire unharmed! And the fourth looks like the son of God!” (Daniel 3:24-25)
THE KING SAID, “I make this decree: If any people, whatever their race or nation or language, speak a word against the God of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, they will be torn limb from limb, and their houses will be turned into heaps of rubble. There is NO OTHER GOD WHO CAN RESCUE LIKE THIS!” (Daniel 3:29)
THAT’S THE GOD WE SERVE.
Your personal Pastor -Bill Stockham