Tuesday, July 5, 2022

But even if he does not

Daniel 3:1-18

Then the herald loudly proclaimed, “Nations and peoples of every language, this is what you are commanded to do: As soon as you hear the sound of the horn, flute, zither, lyre, harp, pipe and all kinds of music, you must fall down and worship the image of gold that King Nebuchadnezzar has set up. Whoever does not fall down and worship will immediately be thrown into a blazing furnace.”

At this time some astrologers came forward and denounced the Jews. ... But there are some Jews whom you have set over the affairs of the province of Babylon—Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego—who pay no attention to you, Your Majesty. They neither serve your gods nor worship the image of gold you have set up.”

Nebuchadnezzar said to them, “Is it true, astrologers, that you do not serve my gods or worship the image of gold I have set up? Now when you hear the sound of the horn, flute, zither, lyre, harp, pipe and all kinds of music, if you are ready to fall down and worship the image I made, very good. But if you do not worship it, you will be thrown immediately into a blazing furnace. Then what god will be able to rescue you from my hand?

Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego replied to him, “King Nebuchadnezzar, we do not need to defend ourselves before you in this matter. If we are thrown into the blazing furnace, the God we serve is able to deliver us from it, and he will deliver us from Your Majesty’s hand. But even if he does not, we want you to know, Your Majesty, that we will not serve your gods or worship the image of gold you have set up.”

The year pass and Nebuchadnezzar, forgetting he once acknowledge Daniel's God as supreme, sets up his gold-covered image of 27m, demanding that all his people worship it. But Daniel's companions will not compromise. There is only one God, and God's law forbids them to worship any other. They know God can deliver them from a terrible death: they do not know if he will. But come what may, they will not deny him.

Why?

People like  Nebuchadnezzar may forget that he had given the honor to the Lord. Now he made an image of gold and asked all people to worship it.

Other astrologers envied the position of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, they couldn't allow them not to obey God's command.

But Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego obey the word of the Lord, they believed the Lord is higher than the king of the world. So they refused to worship the gold image. They believed the Lord will deliver them from King's hand. How strong they believe in the Lord!

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行奉獻之禮,要要奉獻給誰?很矛盾,這個神受限於開光,否則不能動,受限!巴比倫王至做重頭到腳都是金的。

神給巴比倫王權利,卻自己想當神。人想要審判別人,就是自己想當神。要知道我是人,是神的僕人。不要神給我們雞毛當令箭,神給巴比倫王金頭,他卻想要全身金。

真信心: 「即或不然」的信心是最高等級的信心,以神為主宰,無論環境如何,沒有任何其他目的。

神給我們的試鍊,必是我們能夠承受的。必賜我們夠用的恩典。所以不用懼怕!

神用愛來待抗拒神的人,以致得到最後這個人!

用火來待他們反而受到羞愧。第一種是利益的試探,第二種是免於災難的試探,只要否認耶穌是主,就可以避開。世俗的試探,即利益的試探!

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How?

Do I have such faith in the Lord? May God strengthens us like these three men face death they still obey the word of the Lord.


 


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