The Vine: Nov. 25, 2024
“Abide in me as I abide in you. Just as the branch cannot bear fruit by itself unless it abides in the vine, neither can you unless you abide in me. I am the Vine, you are the branches. Those who abide in me and I in them bear much fruit, because apart from me you can do nothing”
This is a weekly reflection on the previous week’s sermon text. Each week there will be a devotional related to the scripture for the week, along with questions for reflection/discussion, as well as prayer. Feel free to make this a part of your individual spiritual growth throughout the week or utilize in small group settings (growth groups, Sunday school, etc.)
“Furious with rage, Nebuchadnezzar summoned Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego. So these men were brought before the king, and Nebuchadnezzar said to them, “Is it true, Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego, that you do not serve my gods or worship the image of gold I have set up? Now when you hear the sound of the horn, flute, zither, lyre, harp, pipe and all kinds of music, if you are ready to fall down and worship the image I made, very good. But if you do not worship it, you will be thrown immediately into a blazing furnace. Then what god will be able to rescue you from my hand?”
Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego replied to him, “King Nebuchadnezzar, we do not need to defend ourselves before you in this matter. If we are thrown into the blazing furnace, the God we serve is able to deliver us from it, and he will deliver us from Your Majesty’s hand. But even if he does not, we want you to know, Your Majesty, that we will not serve your gods or worship the image of gold you have set up.”
The book of Daniel is an exciting, high-stakes story filled with visions, dreams, a fiery furnace, a lion’s den, wild animals, a king who thinks he’s a cow, history, politics, prophecy, adventure, escapes, beasts, demons, and angels. It’s written in two different languages; chapters 2-7 are written in Aramaic while the rest of the book is in Hebrew. Daniel was a contemporary of Jeremiah and Ezekiel and, like them served as a prophet during the Babylonian exile. Interestingly, Ezekiel mentions Daniel three times.
After Jerusalem was destroyed and thousands of Jews were deported as slaves to Babylon, the assimilation process began. Along with Daniel, three other young men were trained for three years to serve in King Nebuchadnezzar’s court. They were given names in honor of Babylonian gods: “The chief official gave them new names: to Daniel, the name Belteshazzar; to Hananiah, Shadrach; to Mishael, Meshach; and to Azariah, Abednego” (Daniel 1:7).
Today’s scripture takes us to the dramatic moment that Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego risk everything because they refuse to compromise their faith. King Nebuchadnezzar had built a 90’ golden statue and commanded everyone to bow down before it in worship. These three refused. When they threatened with being thrown into a fiery furnace for their defiance they responded, “If we are thrown into the blazing furnace, the God we serve is able to deliver us from it, and he will deliver us from Your Majesty’s hand. But even if he does not, we want you to know, Your Majesty, that we will not serve your gods or worship the image of gold you have set up.” (Daniel 3:17-18).
This is one of the most courageous displays of faith in the Bible. The young men knew that God was “able to deliver” them from the fire, but “even if” God didn’t they would never bow and worship the idol or false gods. The men didn’t know how things would turn out, they just knew that they would not compromise their faith no matter the outcome.
Enraged, the king heated the furnace seven times hotter than normal, then bound and threw the men in. The young men had no idea whether God would deliver them from the fire altogether or by the fire into his eternal arms. But to everyone’s astonishment, they were delivered in the fire. Then the king saw the unimaginable: “‘Look!’ Nebuchadnezzar shouted. ‘I see four men, unbound, walking around in the fire unharmed! And the fourth looks like a god!’” (Daniel 3:25). Whether the fourth man was an angel of Jesus himself, God protected the men and they walked out of the furnace completely untouched by the flames. Only the ropes had been burned! No wonder Nebuchadnezzar exclaimed, “Praise to the God of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego!” (Daniel 3:28).
This story reminds us that God is control, all-powerful, and sovereign. Our lives are filled with uncertainty. Trials and suffering come to us all, and we don’t always know how our prayers will be answered. But, while we may not know the outcome of a given circumstance, an “even if” faith allows us to place our complete trust in our God who loves us and is always with us.
MercyMe sings captures this in their song, “Even If.” Let the lyrics strengthen your heart:
They say it only takes a little faith
To move a mountain
Well good thing
A little faith is all I have, right now
But God, when You choose
To leave mountains unmovable
Oh give me the strength to be able to sing
It is well with my soul
I know You're able and I know You can
Save through the fire with Your mighty hand
But even if You don't
My hope is You alone
I know the sorrow, and I know the hurt
Would all go away if You'd just say the word
But even if You don't
My hope is You alone
PRAYER
God, remind me that you are with me always and everywhere. When I face fiery trials in my life and don’t know how things will turn out, help me to put my trust in you and your loving care. Give me the strength and grace to live a faith-full life, completely devoted to you alone. Amen.
Questions for Reflection:
Why didn’t God rescue Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego before they went into the furnace? Is there a situation in your life you wanted God to intervene before it happened, but he allowed you to go through it anyway? What were the results?
In Counterfeit Gods, Tim Keller wrote, “An idol is something that we look to for things that only God can give.” What are some idols in your life and in our society that can tempt us to compromise our faith? How do you find the strength to resist?
I Peter 4:12-13 tells us, “Dear friends, do not be surprised at the fiery ordeal that has come on you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you. But rejoice inasmuch as you participate in the sufferings of Christ, so that you may be overjoyed when his glory is revealed.” Have you or someone you know ever gone through a fiery ordeal? What was that like? How was God glorified in it?
The young men in this story had an “even if” faith. Have you ever had to put your trust in God not knowing the outcome? What anchored you during that time?
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