Friday, April 11, 2008
Daniel 3:28-30
Nebuchadnezzar answered and said, “Blessed be the God of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, who has sent his angel and delivered his servants, who trusted in him, and set aside the king's command, and yielded up their bodies rather than serve and worship any god except their own God. Therefore I make a decree: Any people, nation, or language that speaks anything against the God of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego shall be torn limb from limb, and their houses laid in ruins, for there is no other god who is able to rescue in this way.” Then the king promoted Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego in the province of Babylon. (ESV)
by Linda Harris
Again Nebuchadnezzar praised God, but his heart remained unchanged. Later, he became like an animal for refusing to acknowledge God as king of heaven and earth. He still thought all he had came from his own hand, not God’s (Daniel 4:29-37).
The Hebrews’ motivation for refusing to bow down was to honor God. However, the result was increased honor and authority. When we stand for what we believe, not expecting any earthly gain, God may bring abundant blessings into our lives as a result.
Copyright Information
Daily Bible Meditations are taken from The Helping Hand,a Sabbath School student quarterly for youth and adults. Copyright © 2008, Seventh Day Baptist Board of Christian Education, Inc.
Scripture quotations marked "ESV" are taken from The Holy Bible, English Standard Version. Copyright ©2001 by Crossway Bibles, a division of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved. Text provided by the Crossway Bibles Web Service .
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