Sunday November 19, 2023
Theme: “Victory by Faith”
Text: Daniel 3:14-17
14. Nebuchadnezzar spoke and said to them, Is it deliberate, Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego, that you do not serve my gods, and do not worship the golden image which I have set up? 15. Now be ready, and when you hear the sound of the trumpet, the pipe, the guitar, the sambuque, the psalter, the bagpipes, and all kinds of instruments, you will bow down and you will adore the statue that I have made; if you do not worship him, you will be immediately thrown into the midst of a fiery furnace. And who is the god who will deliver you from my hand? 16. Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego replied to King Nebuchadnezzar, We need not answer you on this matter. 17. Behold, our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the fiery furnace, and he will deliver us out of your hand, O king.
Let's remember:
King Nebuchadnezzar's message seemed like a last warning, a last chance before the irreparable happens. It was also a threat and an injunction at the same time. The king challenged Daniel and his followers but also and above all their God. In the previous chapter, the same king had a dream which troubled him; a dream of which its magicians, astrologers and other enchanters could neither reveal nor give an explanation. While the king said he no longer remembered it; Daniel reminded him of his dream and gave him the explanation. The king was amazed and made this declaration: "Verily, your God is the God of gods and the Lord of kings, and he reveals secrets, since you were able to discover this secret." The king raised Daniel, and gave him many rich gifts; he gave him command over the whole province of Babylon, and made him supreme ruler over all the wise men of Babylon (Daniel 2:47-48). After this declaration of recognition of the power of the God of Daniel, the king again wanted to challenge the same God. This was to misunderstand Daniel's faith and the power of his God. When you are sure of your faith and your God, you can challenge a king; which cannot be done because the king can decide the end of a life. However Daniel had faith that the final word goes to the God of our faith. By faith Daniel trusted his God and faced the king, he disregarded his warning and had no fear of death. Victory by faith is a gain for those who blindly trust in God. Excellent Sunday. AmenAlain Louz,-