Theme: Living Out Our Faith – A Study of The Life of Daniel
Topic: Convictions that Change the World
Main Text: Daniel 3:1-30
Key verse: Daniel 3:17 “If that is the case, our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the burning fiery furnace, and He will deliver us from your hand, O king (NKJV)”
Introduction:
The Bible tells you to submit to your human authorities (Rom 13:1), but what if your human authority commands you to disobey God? Do what Daniel’s friends did. Nebuchadnezzar had declared that God is great (Dan 2:47), but he wasn’t yet willing to worship God alone (Daniel 3:1). In fact, he wanted everyone else to worship idols with him, or else be thrown into the fiery furnace (Daniel 3:6). But while everyone bowed low in worship, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego stood tall. They knew that God alone is God (Deut 6:4), that God demands the whole of our devotion (Deut 6:5), and that He alone is to be worshiped (Exod 20:3-4). So, they obeyed God instead of man (Acts 5:29). That is the kind of conviction you should have too, but even when you must disobey human government, you must still do so with honour and respect (1 Pet 2:17). And you must be all the more careful to obey when obedience does not require sin. Otherwise, who will believe your testimony (1 Pet 2:20)? Instead of seeing a person devoted to God above all, they will only see a person with a rebellious attitude.
Q1. (1a) Dan 3:1-7; Jer 10:1-5; Rom 1:21-23; What kind of “false gods” are there in this world that are capturing the affections of even Christians? How can we avoid worshiping these idols? (1b) How hard do you think it was for Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego to stand when everyone else bowed down? Please explain. (1c) Is it possible to disobey an earthly authority without a rebellious attitude?
Paragraph 2:
Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego refused to bow, but would they give in when threatened with painful death? They were jealously accused by some of the Chaldeans, who were wise men of Babylonian heritage (Dan 3:12). Nebuchadnezzar was furious. How could these foreigners refuse to worship the gods who had conquered God’s people by destroying Jerusalem? But Nebuchadnezzar had not yet understood that God is the “God of gods and the Lord of kings” (Daniel 2:47). He did not realize that kings and nations are in God’s hands—even his own victory over Jerusalem had been planned by God (Deut 28:45-57; Isa 39:5-7). In self-exalting pride, Nebuchadnezzar set himself against the God of gods. God crushes the proud (Isa 13:11). Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego knew God’s power. They depended fully on God and trusted His power to save (Heb 7:25) in the face of death. But they also trusted that God’s will was best, even if He chose not to save.
Q2. (2a) What do the following say about the Christian’s responsibility in a secular world? (Matt 10:28; Acts 5:29; Rom 13:1-2; 1 Pet 2:13-17; (2b) How should a Christian respond to suffering (Rom 5:1-5; 1 Pet 4:13)? (2c) Dan 3:24-28; How do these verses in Daniel fulfil the promises in Isaiah 43:1-2, 5?
Paragraph 3:
God proved His great power to save. Even though the scorching flames instantly killed the soldiers (Daniel 3:22), the three Jews were unharmed! Not only that, but they enjoyed the company of one “like a son of the gods” (Daniel 3:25). This man may have been the pre-incarnate Christ or an angel of God. You also, if you belong to Christ, can enjoy His presence through any hardship, because Christ is always with you (Matt 28:20), and the Holy Spirit is present to encourage, bless, and sustain you (Ps 139:7-10; John 14:16-17; 1 Cor 3:16; 1 Pet 4:14). God’s power to save showed Nebuchadnezzar that He was “the Most High God” (Dan 3:26). He praised the three men and declared that the Most High God is trustworthy (Daniel 3:28) and powerful to save (Daniel 3:29), unlike any idol. Nebuchadnezzar even commanded that all his subjects respect and honour God. Have you put your trust in God, who alone is able to save you?
Q3. (3a) Read Dan 3:26-30; What do you find most compelling in this passage and why? (3b) How would you describe Nebuchadnezzar’s faith in God at this point? (3c) What is your “stronghold” during times of trouble (Ps 9:9; 37:39)?
Prayer: Father, please help us to stand with true convictions that change the world, uncompromisingly to take our place in adoring and glorifying You. We thank You in Christ’s name. Amen.