Sun.’s Devo - The Fiery Furnace

Read: Daniel 2:24-3:30; 1 Peter 4:7-5:14; Psalm 119:81-96; Proverbs 28:15-16 Daniel went the next morning to see the man who had been ordered to execute the wise men and told him he had the king’s answer. Arioch quickly got him an audience with the king. *** Daniel made sure that the king knew that no man could give him what he had asked, only God in heaven could reveal the secrets of what would happen in the future. *** Daniel then told him that his dream was of the future. He had seen a huge form of a man standing before him. His head was of gold, his breast and arms of silver and his belly and thighs of brass. His feet were made of iron mixed with clay. *** A stone not made by human hands smote the image on his feet that were of iron and clay and burst the whole image to pieces. The wind blew the pieces away and the rock became a great mountain that covered the whole earth. *** Then Daniel gave the interpretation. Nebuchadnezzar was the head of gold. A second kingdom would take its place represented by the silver. A third kingdom would take its place which was represented by the bronze. The fourth kingdom would be the last strong as iron and the last was a combination of iron and baked clay. It would be divided and be both weak and strong. *** At that time, God would set up a kingdom that will never be destroyed or conquered. It would crush all these kingdoms and stand forever. *** When the king heard Daniel’s interpretation, he fell down in worship of Daniel and commanded that sacrifices be burned before him. He recognized that his God was the greatest of gods and the Lord over kings and a revealer of mysteries. He appointed Daniel to a high position and gave him many gifts and made him ruler over the whole province of Babylon as well as chief over all his wise men. Daniel requested that Shadrach. Meshach and Abednego be in charge of all the affairs of the province of Babylon, while Daniel remained in the king]s court. *** Nebuchadnezzar had a gold image made and had a huge ceremony to dedicate it. All the high officials were invited. It was 90 feet tall and nine feet wide. A proclamation was made that when the musical instruments played everyone was to bow to the ground to worship the King’s statue. If they didn’t, they would be thrown into the blazing furnace. *** The fact that Daniel’s three friends took the most valuable offices made many of the other astrologers mad. They set out to nail the three friends, so they turned them in for not bowing to the statue. *** Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego were brought before the king. They were given another chance to show their loyalty to the king but they refused to bow. They told King Nebuchadnezzar that they didn’t need to defend themselves. their God whom they served was able to rescue them if he pleased. If he didn’t, they wanted to make it clear to him that they would never serve his gods or worship the gold statue. *** This made the king livid. He had the fire turned up seven time hotter and told his fittest men to throw them into the fire. When they did, they were killed by the flames but Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego were alive in the fire, walking with Jesus. *** The king saw the four walking among the flames and called them out. They had not one sign of burn on them and didn’t even smell of smoke. The king was so overcome he praised their God and decreed that if anyone spoke a word against their God they would be torn limb from limb, and their houses turned into heaps of rubble. He proclaimed that there was no god who could rescue like this. Instead of being killed, they were promoted even higher in the kingdom. *** Peter told the people that the end of all things was coming and they were to cover sin with love. They were to show hospitality and share their gifts with them. They were to glorify God in all they did. If you suffer for doing God’s will, you will be rewarded. *** Elders were encouraged to look after the flock and be good examples. *** Younger ones were to honor the elders and be humble. *** He warned us of our enemy, Satan who roams around seeking people to devour. We are to stand firm against him and be strong inner faith. God has called us to share in his glory. We are suffering only for a while, but we will be restored, supported and strengthened and placed on a firm foundation. *** Lord, may we boldly proclaim your kingdom and your power and not be afraid of death. May we be like Daniel, Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego.