November 2, 2020 | Never Alone
This week our theme is Gospel Hope and our passage is Daniel chapter 3. Let’s start with a general overview of the chapter and then we’ll look at some details later.
King Nebuchadnezzar was a leader with a clear and simple plan: build a giant statue and decree that anytime people hear all kinds of music (including a zither!) they must fall and worship the statue.
(My high school band was known for its outstanding zither section. They could zith like nobody’s business. I am kidding).
King Nebuchadnezzar’s decree had a strong incentive for compliance. Worship the statue, or be thrown into a furnace and die. It was brought to the King’s attention that three Jewish men serving in his administration in Babylon were not worshiping the statue. The King angrily summoned these men and reminded them that they needed to worship the statue or be thrown into the furnace to die.
The men were unfazed. They told the King they’d only worship God, who could save them from the furnace if He wanted to; but even if He didn’t, they would not bow to the King’s statue. It was a remarkable demonstration of their faith, even if the story ended there.
The King heated up the furnace extra hot and had the three men thrown in. Then this happened:
Then King Nebuchadnezzar leaped to his feet in amazement and asked his advisers, “Weren’t there three men that we tied up and threw into the fire?”
They replied, “Certainly, Your Majesty.”
He said, “Look! I see four men walking around in the fire, unbound and unharmed, and the fourth looks like a son of the gods.” (Daniel 3:24-25)
Then the King had the three men brought out of the furnace, unharmed, now in agreement that their God was like no other gods. The faith demonstrated by these men should be an encouragement to us. They did not defy the King because they knew God would save them, but because they knew God is God.
All their hope was in Him and they knew He would be with them, no matter the outcome. Our challenges today likely won’t be so dramatic, but will we demonstrate the same hope?
By Mark Stuart
King Nebuchadnezzar was a leader with a clear and simple plan: build a giant statue and decree that anytime people hear all kinds of music (including a zither!) they must fall and worship the statue.
(My high school band was known for its outstanding zither section. They could zith like nobody’s business. I am kidding).
King Nebuchadnezzar’s decree had a strong incentive for compliance. Worship the statue, or be thrown into a furnace and die. It was brought to the King’s attention that three Jewish men serving in his administration in Babylon were not worshiping the statue. The King angrily summoned these men and reminded them that they needed to worship the statue or be thrown into the furnace to die.
The men were unfazed. They told the King they’d only worship God, who could save them from the furnace if He wanted to; but even if He didn’t, they would not bow to the King’s statue. It was a remarkable demonstration of their faith, even if the story ended there.
The King heated up the furnace extra hot and had the three men thrown in. Then this happened:
Then King Nebuchadnezzar leaped to his feet in amazement and asked his advisers, “Weren’t there three men that we tied up and threw into the fire?”
They replied, “Certainly, Your Majesty.”
He said, “Look! I see four men walking around in the fire, unbound and unharmed, and the fourth looks like a son of the gods.” (Daniel 3:24-25)
Then the King had the three men brought out of the furnace, unharmed, now in agreement that their God was like no other gods. The faith demonstrated by these men should be an encouragement to us. They did not defy the King because they knew God would save them, but because they knew God is God.
All their hope was in Him and they knew He would be with them, no matter the outcome. Our challenges today likely won’t be so dramatic, but will we demonstrate the same hope?
By Mark Stuart
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2021
January
New BeginningsBe a LightPraying for the Gospel to AdvancePraying for Church LeadershipPraying for RestorationPraying for the Persecuted ChurchPraying for Our NationBridging the GapJesus UnderstandsYour Spiritual TankMade to WorshipProtection and WisdomDeliver Us From TemptationWholly Following the LordDistinguishing Characteristics of a True Disciple of Christ
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March
I Am The Good Shepherd Shepherd LeadershipI Am the Good Shepherd that Keeps the GateShepherding the TeamI Am The Good Shepherd: A Note from a Thankful SheepTime OutFour DaysUp from the GraveResurrection LifeThe Shadow of DeathMore Than an Empty TombLet\'s Not Get DistractedThis Is No Time to Be TroubledJesus Christ Is The Way
April
Jesus Christ Is The TruthJesus Christ Is The LifeAn Inconvenient TruthPalm SundayI Am The VineJust Do ItI Am The DoorCuttingsThe StruggleGood FridayThe DoorAbundant GraceAbundant SalvationAbundant SecurityAbundant LifeThe Thank You NoteBreakthrough PrayerLetter to the ChurchA Time for Great ThingsPrayer for a BreakthroughThe Day of ChristAs Far As the Eye Can SeeLoosen the ChainsNothing to FearOn the Same SideWhat Are You Living For?
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June
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August
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The Faith GapWhen Bravery CallsFor Such A Time As ThisBravery In The SilenceOpen Our EyesThe Cheese Stands AloneDreamThe StandoffStrengthFather Knows BestAmbassador for ChristPapa BearBest Seat In The HouseWaiting On The LordThe Last Chapterin God\'s Tender CareDo Not Be AnxiousFinish The PlayA New DecreeThat All Might KnowThe Formula For BraveryHow Will You Respond?Stepping Out In FaithHappily Ever After?P.S.Superlatives
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