Daniel 3

Oh the ever famous story of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego. We all know it. When told they must bow down to the king's statue they refused. So the king ordered for them to be thrown into the furnace. But they told the king that their God would save them from the furnace. Although I've heard this story a thousand times, something new was recently pointed out to me. They responded to the king and said something that really makes me think.

"But even if he does not, we want you to know, O king, that we will not serve your gods or worship the image of gold you have set up."

They really believed that God would save them. But if not, they still would not bow down to the king's statue (and not only because they would be dead and couldn't). They would only worship their God. I want God to do so many things in my life, but sometimes if His plan isn't the same as mine I get frustrated. I want things to go the way I think is right. But I need to remember that if not, I should still worship God. I should still ask things of Him but all the while knowing that things may not turn out the way I want them to, but that's okay. So then the story goes on and of course, they are thrown into the furnace and they come out alive. God saved them, but the point is that they knew that even if God didn't, that was okay too. Whatever God's plan turned out to be, they were going to be happy with it. God, help me to know that even if things don't go the way I think they should, You have a plan and I just need to trust You.

Daniel 1

We've been going through the book of Daniel in Sunday School and it has some pretty interesting stories so I decided it would be a good place to try to get my quiet times going again. Daniel and his brothers chose not to defile themselves by eating the kings food even though it was the best food they would probably ever eat. By asking for permission to be allowed to eat only vegetables they showed how much faith they had in God. Their request could have easily been declined, but it wasn't. They knew that God would take care of them and make a way for them to do what was right. He will always make a way for us if we only ask. Sometimes I forget that. God will always make a way.

Daniel in the Lion's Den

So I was reading that story today in Daniel..one of my favorites that I remember being told since I was so little! Anyway, something I caught that I hadn't really paid attention to before was in verse 10 (chapter 6):

10Daniel heard about the law, but when he returned home, he went upstairs and prayed in front of the window that faced Jerusalem. In the same way that he had always done, he knelt down in prayer three times a day, giving thanks to God. (Contemporary English version)

Daniel knew all about the law, but he prayed anyway. He didn't happen to get CAUGHT praying (which is what I kinda thought growing up). He knew full well that he was going against the law, but he refused to alter his beliefs or his everyday actions.

Sometimes I don't do certain things or say certain things that should be said if I know it will offend someone. I do what I do based on the world's standards and norms. But, to be like Daniel, I should lay aside everything this world says is "right" and normal (tolerance) and just live for God regardless. Knowing full well that it might offend people, get me in trouble, etc.

This may not have made sense to anyone else but it did to me :)