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Dear Heavenly Father, Praise Nebuchadnezzar said, “Blessed be the God of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, who has sent his angel and delivered his servants, who trusted in him, and set aside the king’s command, and yielded up their bodies rather than serve and worship any god except their own God” (Dan 3:28). I say “Amen!” I worship you today as the one, true God. You alone are worthy of praise—Hallelujah! Today in Your Word Today you told me how Daniel’s friends refused to worship Nebuchadnezzar’s golden statue. Nebuchad-nezzar’s dream of the great image made of four metals (see Daniel 2) had left a lasting impression on him, and when his kingdom was shaken by unrest and rebellion, he decided to make an image of his own. It was ninety feet tall, nine feet wide, and instead of only a head of gold, it was gold from head to toe. Clearly Nebuchad-nezzar had hopes of his kingdom lasting longer than you had said! He then held a great dedication ceremony. All the leaders of the empire were there (Zedekiah was likely there as well), and he commanded them to worship the statue. By doing so, they demonstrated their loyalty and allegiance to Babylon. Everyone bowed down except Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah, and when Nebuchadnezzar made it clear they were going to worship or die, they calmly and respectfully told him that they could not: “Our God whom we serve is able to deliver us…but if not…we will not serve your gods” (Dan 3:17–18). I’m inspired by their loyalty to you! They could have used any number of excuses to bow down to the image: “We’ll bow down, but we won’t worship in our hearts,” or “We’ll worship this one time, and then ask God to forgive us,” or “God will excuse us for obeying our king.” But they didn’t—they remained obedient to you in spite of the consequences. I’m also inspired by their attitude. They expressed faith in your ability to save, but they didn’t presume to say that you would rescue them. This shows me how true faith behaves: it believes what you say (Rom 10:17) and submits to what you decide (Luke 22:42). When I live by this kind of faith, I testify to the gospel and bring glory to your name (Dan 3:28). Several months later, Zedekiah was back in Jerusalem. He was not alone—representatives from Edom, Moab, Ammon, Tyre and Sidon were also there, and they were plotting rebellion. You told Jeremiah to tell them to submit to Babylon’s rule. If they didn’t, you would use Nebuchadnezzar to destroy them. This teaches me that if I counsel others to resist authority, I’m actually counseling “rebellion against the Lord” (Jer 28:16). The only time I should resist authority is when I must obey you rather than man (Acts 5:29). In any other case, resistance equals rebellion! Reflection You rescued Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah, but you don’t always choose to rescue your children. James, John the Baptist, Stephen, Paul, and many others all paid the ultimate price for their faith. I need to remember that you are always good, even when you let me suffer, and although my body may be hurt, my soul is secure with you! (Luke 12:4–5). Request Father, give me the faith of Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah! Help me to stand firm in the face of death and remain loyal to you no matter the cost. Thanksgiving Thank you for the testimony of Daniel’s three friends. Through their faith, though they are dead, they still speak! (Heb 11:4). Praise the Lord! In Jesus’ name, Amen. Suggested Hymn: “Able to Deliver” — Frances J. Crosby. Meditation Verse: Daniel 3:17–18.