Trust and Obey

God can use anyone to serve His purposes. We only need to trust and obey.

I’ve been participating in an online Bible study on the Book of Daniel. It’s fascinating stuff. It’s the stories I remember as a child, displayed on that black felt board, about fiery furnaces and lion’s dens, but when I read it as an adult, it means so much more.

I’m in chapter three and King Nebuchadnezzar has built a golden statue that he says everyone has to bow down to whenever they hear any type of music from horns, flutes, harps, etc.. This guy was clearly an egomaniac. He seriously wanted everyone in his kingdom to stop whatever they were doing anytime they heard music, to worship his image.

What’s even more ridiculous, is that in the chapter before, he had proclaimed Daniel, Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego’s God, the God of all gods. He seemed to have forgotten that proclamation fairly quickly, but isn’t that often the case when someone is given absolute power? They forget promises they made to get where they are, whenever it’s convenient.

But, here’s what screams at me about this story: God can use the enemies of His people to prove His love and faithfulness to those who love and obey Him.

In the previous chapter, the same king had a dream no one could interpret. The same narcissistic king was going to kill all of the wise men in his kingdom including Daniel and friends. Daniel respectfully asked the king for some time and he and his friends prayed. God gave Daniel the answers that saved him and his friends and elevated them in the king’s court.

A little while later, when the three friends are ruling the provinces that the king put them in charge of, he comes up with the golden statue law. The friends refused to bow. I suspect it was tempting. They were fairly high on the totem pole at that point. Why rock the boat?

They knew beyond the shadow of a doubt, that God had put them where they were. They had been true to their faith from day one. They weren’t about to cave. But, I love what they told the raging king when they were brought in for judgement.

“O Nebuchadnezzar, we do not need to defend ourselves in this matter. If we are thrown into the blazing furnace, the God we serve is able to save us from it, and he will rescue us from your hand, O king. 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.” Daniel 3:16-18

God, of course, used this egomaniac king to show His power and rescued all three from the fire without a hair singed. I imagine as they were being tossed into that fire, that they were wondering if God had abandoned them. If they prayed for deliverance, I doubt seriously, it could have been in the way that God provided. But, oh how God provided.

He had a plan all along. He rewarded their faithfulness and who knows how many spectators became believers as well, because of their obedience?

I think it’s so important to remember that God is always listening. He’s in control. He can use the worst of humanity for His purposes if He chooses. I can think of some pretty awful world leaders right this very moment. I’ll bet you can too.

All we need to remember is that we are loved by the Almighty God and if we are faithful and obedient, He will save us, maybe not in the manner we expect, but in one way or another, just like Daniel and his friends.

Have an awesome day!

Wendy 🙂