After king Nebuchadnezzar had his dream, and Daniel was able to interpret them. He made a gold statue ninety feet tall and nine feet wide as his representation. He made an order that all people (no matter their race and religion) would worship and bow down to the gold statue every time they heard the sound of the horn, flute, zither, lyre, harp, pipes, and other musical instruments. And anyone who would refuse to worship and bow down to the gold statue, the person would be thrown into a blazing furnace. However, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, Daniel's friends, did not bow down to the gold statue, and it was reported to king Nebuchadnezzar. So the king summoned them and ordered them to bow down to the gold statue, and if they refused, they would be thrown into the blazing furnace. Daniel's friends replied these words to him, "O Nebuchadnezzar, we do not need to defend ourselves before you. If we are thrown into the blazing furnace, the God whom we serve is able to save us. He will rescue us from your power, Your Majesty. But even if he doesn't, we want to make it clear to you, Your Majesty, that we will never serve your gods or worship the gold statue you have set up."
True Christianity is about standing up to what we believe and not being passive about it, even if it cost us everything. Mark 8:38 says, "If anyone is ashamed of me and my words in this adulterous and sinful generation, the Son of Man (Jesus Christ) will be ashamed of them when he comes in his Father's glory with the holy angels." Matthew 16:25 says, "For whoever wants to save their life will lose it, but whoever loses their life for me will find it." We should be bold as believers of our Lord Jesus Christ because we are His, and we are no longer belong to this world, for we are God's children.
God will never disown or leave us in this world; therefore, we should be proud as His children in this world. We should stand up according to the Bible and do the right things in the sight of our God. Let us not be intimidated by the ways of this world, but let us continue to be bold in our faith in our Lord Jesus Christ. Because Shadrach, Meshac, and Abednego stood for God, God rescued them, and Nebuchadnezzar witnessed the power of God through them.
Ask yourself these questions: What does it mean to be a Christian in this world? Am I willing to stand up for God in this world? Who do I belong now that I am saved through faith in the Lord Jesus Christ?
Write down all the worries that you are facing today and lift them up to God.
Prayer:
Father in Heaven, thank you for saving me, and I do not belong in this world anymore. Please give me the courage to stand up for what is right and help me do the right thing in your sight. Please help me be bold in my faith that the world may know your love and power through me. In the name of Jesus, I pray. Amen.
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