Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-nego!!!
I am writing this today because people will see your anointing and know that God is for you. And they will still be on some foolishness.
God revealed himself to king Nebuchadnezzar. The revelation was short-lived. Right after, he decided to make a statue and commanded that it be worshipped by everyone in the city at certain times.
Let me add that the devil has never stopped deceiving people into worshipping any image or man other than God. His agendas are clear and unchanging from the beginning.
Satan will always test man’s commitment to God. And like a spoiled child and/or a narcissist, he does not care how you are destroyed. If he is victorious in your demise.
One of the most dangerous weapons in his arsenal is pride. Let me confirm this.
Pride Comes Before the Fall
When God created man, he allowed him to have a will. Even the angels.
A prideful egomaniac needs to be worshipped or to control the devotion of others.
And because we are made to worship. But let’s be clear. We are made to worship God and even to give at our discretion. So, the propensity to fall into idolatry is innate. In our carnal state.
This next point will shine a glaring light on those who choose to do wrong and their vehement dislike for anyone who does not follow suit. The phrase, “misery loves company” exists for a reason. Troubled individuals start to believe that they are seen as weak for complying. Then they begin to attack those who did not. Attempting to compel them to become “manageable”.
The Victim Mentality and Defeatism
It is written, “At the time certain Chaldeans came forward and brought [malicious] accusations against the Jews. (Sound familiar?) They said to king Nebuchadnezzar, ‘O king, live forever! You, O king, have made a decree that everyone who hears the sound of the horn, pipe, lyre, trigon, harp, dulcimer, bagpipe, and all kinds of music is to fall down and worship the golden image’.
“‘Whoever does not fall down, and worship shall be thrown into the midst of a furnace of blazing fire” (Daniel 3: 8-11, AMP).
Ponder this. Never underestimate the power of music and what it can produce. How it may be used to manipulate and desecrate.
Obnoxious and perverse. Yet cunning. They appealed to Nebuchadnezzar’s insecurities. Because of this, the three boys’ countenance was changed in the king’s eyes. He was very aware of whom they chose to serve. But he allowed any amicable feelings that he had for them to change. So as not to appear frail and feeble.
To Be Fearless and Bold
How the three boys responded is how I am choosing to answer the subtle and shrewd. They answered humbly and without fear when confronted by the king. Unyieldingly, refusing to even discuss the matter.
“Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-nego answered the king, ‘O Nebuchadnezzar, (notice they did not even address him as king immediately) we do not need to answer you on this point. If it be so, our God whom we serve is able to rescue us from the furnace of blazing fire, and He will rescue us from your hand, O king.
“‘But even if He does not, let it be known to you, O king, that we are not going to serve your gods or worship the golden image that you have set up!'” (Daniel 3: 16-18, AMP).
Of course, the king was so angry that he commanded the fire be turned up seven times higher so that those who threw the three men in their full attire into the furnace, died themselves. And we know how the story ends.
Jesus came down and walked with them. Through the fire. Did you get that? If not, let me emphasize this.
He Sticks Closer Than a Friend
It is written, “When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; And through the rivers, they will not overwhelm you. When you walk through fire, you will not be scorched” (Isaiah, 43: 2, AMP).
Let us continue. “Then Nebuchadnezzar the king [looked and] was astounded, and he jumped up and said to his counselors, ‘Did we not throw three men who were tied up into the midst of the fire?’ They replied to the king, ‘Certainly, O king.’
“He answered, ‘Look! I see four men untied, walking around amid the fire, and they are not hurt! And the appearance of the fourth is like a son of the gods!’
“Then Nebuchadnezzar approached the door of the blazing furnace and said, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-nego, servants of the Most High God, come out [of there]! Come here!’ Then Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-nego came out of the midst of the fire” (Daniel 3: 24-26, AMP).
God’s Grace and Mercy
Notice that they could not and were not allowed to rescue them. They had to go through and come out of that fire with Jesus only. Not only did Jesus keep them. He made sure that the glory was allocated to him, appropriately! And that their enemies witnessed their deliverance! And furthermore, king Nebuchadnezzar praised them for their resolve.
Now many are out here playing and wavering. So let me add this as I close.
Just know, “so that at the name of Jesus EVERY KNEE SHALL BOW [in submission], (now hear this) of those who are in heaven and on earth, and under the earth, and every tongue will confess and openly acknowledge that Jesus Christ is Lord (sovereign God), to the glory of God the Father” (Philippians 2: 10-11, AMP).
Always coming from a place of love!!!
Originally written on 04/13/2023.
Schedule Life Coaching Sessions – benevolentwoman.com
https://benevolent-woman-4.creator-spring.com
Thank you, Cassandra Mack at Cassandra Mack Ministries, for allowing me to sponsor an episode of your podcast.
https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-cassandra-mack-podcast/id1608225126?i=1000608584809
Original content here is published under these license terms: | X | |
License Type: | Attribution | |
License Abstract: | You may copy this content, create derivative work from it, and re-publish it, provided you include an overt attribution to the author(s). | |
License URL: | https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/ |