What does it mean to live an authentic Christian life in a lawless world? The laws of this world are persecuting the Church. There are still dictatorships in the world in countries such as Iran and North Korea. It is a serious test of loyalty to God. In many Muslim countries those who become Christians become secret believers as they face persecution from family and the state.

Is there a limit to our good citizenship? We are to pay our taxes and obey the laws of the land. See Romans 13. There are times when we can’t go along with the state when it goes against God.

1 – The claims of the state (vs. 1-7)

Nebuchadnezzar has forgotten his dream and builds an enormous statue to himself. He is saying that he is permanent. He is setting up his own religion to worship him. The option to the citizens is to bow or burn. We have seen it with the Hitler, Saddam Hussein, Robert Mugabe (Zimbabwe) and Idi Amin (Uganda). There are things even closer to home that become your idol? How about drugs and alcohol? How about money?

2 – The cost of exclusive commitment (vs. 8-12)

Notice three things about the three men’s attitude:-

• It was not invited. They didn’t want trouble. Their failure to worship the image was not discovered until these certain Chaldeans made it known. With so many thousands of government officials in attendance, it would be easy to overlook these three. The three Jewish men did not lodge a formal protest; they simply refrained from sharing in the sin of idolatry themselves.
• It was not expected. Surely it was not unexpected their response. People knew they did not worship idols.
• It was not unappealing. It would have been easy to compromise. They were willing to take a stand. It was not a hard decision for them to make. They will not bow to any idol.

There is a cost in following Christ. Society will not always defend the truth. There can be a high price in saying that I belong to JESUS.

3 – The courage of faith (vs. 13-18)

To his credit, Nebuchadnezzar did not accept the accusation on hearsay. He made sure of it with a personal interview. Nebuchadnezzar would not tolerate losing face on such an important occasion. Faith believes that God can deliver. However, even if He doesn’t they will not bow. This is real faith. They are times that God’s servants are killed. They were still triumphant in their faith. The mouth of the lion could be shut or devour you. In Hebrews 13, it is both who are commended for their faith.

4 – The confused king (vs. 19-30)

It is the rock from the dream. The Lord did not blow out the fire or stop up the entrance. God was with them in the flames. What was God doing in the flames? Nebuchadnezzar was being dealt with by God. See Isaiah 43:1ff. God helps us in the time of our trouble and does not always deliver us. We know whether rescued or not that He is there.

Categories: Daniel