TODAY IN THE WORD

[Soldier4Christ]

Read: Esther 10:1-3; Psalm 38:4-7
Show me, O Lord, my life’s end. - Psalm 39:4
TODAY IN THE WORD
A look at Time's most important people of the twentieth century produces a few not-so-common names: Emmeline Pankhurst, Leo Baekeland, and Louis B. Mayer. Only the Trivial Pursuit buffs are likely to know that Pankhurst was responsible for women's suffrage in England, Baekeland for designing the first plastic, and Mayer for founding MGM. Their accomplishments, while noteworthy, don't guarantee that their names have an indelible place in our memories.

And so it is with human greatness—quite often limited to an era and then left at the mercy of the historians. King Xerxes and Mordecai are no exceptions to this rule. King Xerxes was the greatest man of his time, ruler of the world's largest empire. He raised extravagant wealth for himself and the kingdom (v. 1) and his “power and might” were undisputed in his time. Mordecai enjoyed the power and prominence of being his right-hand man. He was esteemed by his people and held in high regard (v. 3). The book of Esther doesn't even claim to have recorded all their acts of greatness, so notably vast they seemed. But other world leaders and advisers have come along with greater, more impressive kingdoms and exploits.

Their moment of glory lasted but for a fleeting moment, fulfilling what the psalmist noticed: “Each man's life is but a breath” (v. 5). It can be dismal to look at life in this way. In fact, each of us fears the brevity of our lives, wondering if we're the fool who “bustles about, but only in vain; [who] heaps up wealth, not knowing who will get it” (v. 6). To acknowledge our lives as but a blip on the screen of human history sobers us to ask one question: will I have lived a life of purpose?

The only purposes that stand eternal are God's purposes. The only kingdom to last forever is God's kingdom. The only rewards to outlast our life here on earth are heavenly ones. All of this the psalmist knew, so he makes his declaration clear: “But now, Lord, what do I look for? My hope is in you” (v. 7).
TODAY ALONG THE WAY
One man conquered death along with its curse of personal irrelevance—Jesus Christ. The apostle John put it this way: “Jesus did many other things as well. If every one of them were written down, I suppose that even the whole world would not have room for the books that would be written” (John 21:25). Have you trusted Him to save you from your sins and eternal death? Have you surrendered your life to living for His kingdom? It's the most important decision that you could ever make.

[Soldier4Christ]

Read: Psalm 59
O my Strength, I sing praise to you; you, O God, are my fortress, my loving God. - Psalm 59:17
TODAY IN THE WORD
Theologian J. I. Packer had these thoughts on power: “It is clear from the New Testament that God meant His power to accompany the gospel, and to find expression through its messengers and in the lives of those to whom the message comes.” As a result, he suggested the following: “It is right to aspire to use one's God-given gifts in powerful and useful ministry . . . It is right to want to be a channel of divine power into other people's lives at their points of need . . . It is right to want to be divinely empowered for righteousness, for moral victories, for deliverance from bad habits, and for pleasing God.”

In short, God is our strength for victorious living, the truth at the core of today's psalm (vv. 9-10a, 17). As the header indicates, David knew this truth from his experiences during the long years between his anointing by Samuel and his appointment to the kingship. Psalm 59 was written during those days, and no doubt used in later years in situations of war or natural disaster.

The prayer is for deliverance and protection (vv. 1-2). The main petition of a psalm is usually stated up front; if we lose the trajectory in a psalm, we can often return to the first verse or two to help us get back on track with the main idea. Interwoven with additional words of prayer, the situation is often then described, which is done here as well (vv. 3-8). David asserted that he wasn't in this crisis as a consequence of sin, but that “bloodthirsty men” conspired against him. Like packs of wild dogs, they harassed him. They seemed to believe they could get away with sin—but God laughs at and punishes such foolishness (vv. 10b-13).

Divine justice is poetic (vv. 14-16). The “dogs” return at the end of the psalm, but instead of being dangerous they're pathetic. The psalmist is no longer desperate but singing praises to his loving God.
TODAY ALONG THE WAY
In the imagery of the psalms, night often represents trouble or despair, while daybreak and sunlight stand for well-being and hope. To celebrate true Christian hope, conclude your devotional time today by singing “Morning Has Broken,” found in many hymnbooks. This song speaks of the morning of Christ's resurrection, surely the most triumphant sunrise in history. If this hymn is unfamiliar to you, you can hear the version that Michael Card sings on his 1998 album Starkindler.

[Soldier4Christ]

Read: Daniel 1:1-2; Jeremiah 25:1-14
During Jehoiakim’s reign, Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon invaded the land. - 2 Kings 24:1
TODAY IN THE WORD
New Year's Eve, 1999, saw the Y2K worriers stocking up on bottled water and canned goods; the turn-of-the-millennium enthusiasts planning extravagant celebrations to usher in the year 2000; and the history purists insisting there was no reason to get excited. These mathematically precise folks argued that the third millennium wouldn't begin until the two-thousandth year had ended and 2001 had begun. In other words, the year 2000 could be the turn of the millennium only if there had been a year zero.

A look at the accounts in Daniel 1 and Jeremiah 25 presents a similar conundrum. Did Nebuchadnezzar lay siege to Jerusalem in the fourth year of Jehoiakim's reign (Jer. 25:1) or the third (Dan. 1:1)? Some scholars believe that the Babylonians didn't begin numbering a king's reign until the year after he took the throne. The ascension year would essentially be that king's “year zero,” while Hebrew writers would have referred to it as year number one. Other reasonable explanations exist, but it does make sense that Daniel was trained to use a Babylonian numbering style.

Daniel didn't blindly accept everything about the Babylonian culture, most notably their pagan religion. He was caught in a peculiar situation, as the prophecy of Jeremiah describes. After the destruction of the northern kingdom of Israel by the Assyrians, Daniel's native nation of Judah had been unwilling to listen to the Word of the Lord—and judgment for their sins was sure. Daniel was taken to Babylon after the first of three major attacks on Jerusalem by Nebuchadnezzar's forces. He had been forcibly taken to live in exile.

For Daniel, the hope of returning to his homeland wasn't good. Jeremiah foretold that the Babylonian exile would last for seventy years (Jer. 25:11). God allowed Nebuchadnezzar to take the people of Israel, the articles of the temple (Dan. 1:2), and something even more surprising: the role of God's servant (Jer. 25:9).
TODAY ALONG THE WAY
The authenticity of Daniel is disputed by people who refuse to accept the possibility of the supernatural elements of the book: miraculous rescue, inspired wisdom, and predictive prophecy. Although we may say with our mouths that we accept those truths, believers are sometimes reluctant to open our hearts to God's supernatural intervention. As you study this month, make room for the possibility that God will use you each day as He did Daniel, miraculously and boldly in a land of doubt.

[Soldier4Christ]

Read: Daniel 1:3-7
Everyone must submit himself to the governing authorities. - Romans 13:1
TODAY IN THE WORD
Stella Ho lived in Venezuela for thirty years, running a shop with her unsaved husband. In January 2004, Stella was abducted by three thieves. God used her compassionate spirit and godly influence to change the hearts of her captors. In just eight days, Stella was freed, her captors' hearts were changed, and her husband accepted Christ after witnessing the outpouring of prayer and love from her fellow believers. Stella said, “Our time is short. We never know what may happen to us. We must strive to serve the Lord and discern what we can do for God.”

If Daniel had been allowed to plot the course of his own life, he probably wouldn't have picked “abducted by Babylonians” as his first choice. He didn't get to choose his circumstances, but he served the Lord by accepting the position in which God had placed him. We usually remember Daniel for his courageous stands against compromise, but the first test of his allegiance to God was one of humble submission.

Some scholars conclude that Daniel was in his early teens at the time of his abduction, and the word for “young men” in verse 4 supports that theory. For Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah, submitting to Babylonian rule could not have been easy. They had been the cream of Judah's crop, members of the nobility, and among the most promising young men in their nation. But their new captors erased their Jewish names and assigned them names that would identify them with pagan gods.

Daniel and his friends could have rebelled. Along with adopting pagan names, they were to eat from the king's menu, learn the Babylonian language, study their literature, and enter the service of the king. But of all those foreign practices, these four young men would refuse to obey only the dietary guidelines. Overall, Daniel and his friends showed maturity beyond their years. Daniel's right attitude toward divinely appointed leadership gives us our first glimpse of his extraordinary character.
TODAY ALONG THE WAY
If you find yourself working for an unsavory boss or living in a town you wish you could flee, take heart. Although you may feel desperate to escape your circumstances, ask God to use you to brighten your surroundings with His glory. That can be done by standing up to people who urge you to do wrong, but it's just as likely God will ask you to perform menial or undesirable tasks as a display of obedience and humility. Making yourself subject to others is a powerful act of faith in God's sovereignty.

[Soldier4Christ]

Read: Daniel 1:8-13
But Daniel resolved not to defile himself. - Daniel 1:8
TODAY IN THE WORD
“Please, sir, I want some more.” Those words from Oliver Twist are one of the most famous requests in literature. Even though Oliver spoke on behalf of his fellow starving orphans, barely surviving on paltry servings of gruel, his boldness earned him solitary confinement and dismissal from the parish.

Daniel put himself in similar peril, except he was being offered a feast prepared for a king and he asked to be given less. The text doesn't indicate what exactly about the meat and wine would have defiled Daniel, but we can assume the Babylonians prepared the food in a manner contrary to Mosaic Law. What we do know is that Daniel made up his mind that he wouldn't compromise on the matter of his diet (v. .

Daniel's resolve didn't detract from his overall attitude of respect. He asked for permission to have a different diet, and God rewarded him by granting him sympathy from the chief official (v. 9). Personal affection, however, was outweighed by fear of Nebuchadnezzar, and the official wouldn't grant the request. Daniel didn't react stubbornly or brazenly. Instead, he sought out a different opportunity with another authority figure, his personal guard. He asked for a ten-day trial run on a vegetarian diet. His request was reasonable and respectful, and it was phrased to allow the guard an alternative plan of action if the results of the new diet were unfavorable. Notice how Daniel operated within the construct of authority he was under. He opposed ungodly orders without being self-righteous or rebellious.

Both Daniel and the chief official spoke of comparing Daniel and his three friends with other young men their age. We can assume that they weren't the only young Israelites recruited into the three-year training program. Judging by Judah's history of floundering faith, Daniel and his friends were probably very rare examples of people who still remained true to the commands of the Lord. Daniel's faith didn't just stand out against the pagan culture, it was also one of the last signs of hope among God's chosen people.
TODAY ALONG THE WAY
It's certainly unacceptable for Christians to silently adopt sinful behavior, but we should not loudly and proudly parade our rightness. If someone orders you to compromise your beliefs, make up your mind to stay true to the Lord. Then ask God to soften your heart to avoid heated conflict or pride. Respect for authority and love for others is more important than drawing attention to ourselves. Remember, forcing the spotlight on our righteousness tends to reveal our sinfulness as well.

[Soldier4Christ]

Read: Daniel 1:14-21
To these four young men God gave knowledge and understanding. - Daniel 1:17
TODAY IN THE WORD
Although it was first introduced in 1972, the Atkins diet made its biggest explosion onto the weight-loss scene in 1999. People who employed the peculiar technique were shedding weight at an astounding rate, while boasting of eating as much bacon, steak, and other fatty foods as they pleased as long as they refrained from carbohydrates. What seemed like a formula for weight gain proved to be an effective weight-loss regimen for many people.

Daniel took more of a high-fiber, low-fat, high-faith approach, but weight loss was what he and his friends were hoping to avoid. At the end of the ten days, they shattered the expectations of the Babylonians, appearing healthier than their meat-eating peers. The results weren't necessarily miraculous, as a diet of beans, grains, fruits, and vegetables can provide more than adequate nutrition even for growing young men.

But the king didn't just want these men for their physical prowess. His chief concern appeared to be the areas of wisdom and understanding (v. 20). And the result of their faithful allegiance to God was unrivaled expertise in foreign fields of study. Daniel was granted additional insight into dreams and visions. It wasn't the training program that made them so talented. The text clearly names God as the source of their gifts (v. 17).

One might expect a man of Daniel's faith in Jehovah to be marginalized or belittled in the Babylonian court. But Nebuchadnezzar found the faithful four to be ten times better than the competition, and not just the other graduates of the program. Daniel and his friends surpassed the abilities of the king's entire roster of mystical experts.

The last statement in today's reading shows Daniel's longevity of service even until the end of the exile. Through his consistent pattern of faithfulness to the Lord, he was able to see the fulfillment of his purpose: to help restore Israel to her past glory and favor in the eyes of God. Daniel was also proving his credibility as one of the most important of God's prophets.
TODAY ALONG THE WAY
Why not ask God to bless you with wisdom appropriate to your situation so that He can be glorified today? Perhaps increased emotional understanding and sensitivity could help you witness to your family, or maybe God could grant you insight into scientific and logical matters and use you as an apologist. No matter what you choose, diligently seek out the knowledge of God as a foundation for your development and growth.

[Soldier4Christ]

Read: Daniel 2:1-13
No one can reveal it to the king except the gods, and they do not live among men. - Daniel 2:11
TODAY IN THE WORD
After the successful cloning of animals began in the 1990s, a joke made its rounds on the Internet about a proud scientist who said to God, “We can clone humans now, so we don't need you to create people any more.” God replied, “Very well, let's see if you can create a man the same way I created Adam.” The scientist knew that creating a man from dirt would be difficult, but he agreed. He bent down on his knees to pick up some soil, but God stopped him and said, “Not so fast. You'll have to create your own dirt, too.”

Creating something from nothing is a task only for God. The wise men of Babylon likely would have agreed, especially after Nebuchadnezzar threatened to kill them if they couldn't interpret his dream. If they would have known the dream they could have used their methods to come up with an interpretation, however far-flung it might have been. But the king had firmly decided that if the magicians were really magical, they would be able to interpret his dream without being told what it was. This story tells us a lot about king Nebuchadnezzar. He had little patience, especially for those that he perceived to be inept servants. If the wise men couldn't interpret his dream, he would have them cut into pieces and their houses destroyed.

The wise men responded that no mere man could accommodate the request of King Nebuchadnezzar. They recognized that it would take godlike power to know the unspoken thoughts and visions of men, and their gods were completely inaccessible.

The king responded with utter fury. He decided that the entire notion of mystical seers was a sham, and he had no need for spiritual advisers who had such limited powers. Ordering the execution of all the magicians, enchanters, sorcerers, and astrologers would have meant a major policy change in the Babylonian government and culture, but it also would have dealt a blow to Daniel's purpose. He and his friends were wise men, and the decree of Nebuchadnezzar was their death sentence.
TODAY ALONG THE WAY
There are two factions portrayed in today's reading: those who believe all religions are credible, and those who think all religious faith is pointless. The wise men's inability to fulfill the king's request shows the emptiness of false religion. But the king's angry reaction reveals the hopelessness of atheism. Take some time to thank God that He is both all-powerful and all-loving. As you go about your day, remind yourself that God is able to answer your requests and willing to display His power.

[Soldier4Christ]

Read: Daniel 2:14-18
He urged them to plead for mercy from the God of heaven. - Daniel 2:18
TODAY IN THE WORD
According to Hollywood folklore, Charlie Chaplin's last words were true to form for the comedic actor/director. On his death bed, a priest reading Chaplin last rites said, “May God have mercy on your soul.” Chaplin replied, “Why not? After all, it belongs to him.”

When Daniel faced death, he showed a proper understanding of God's sovereignty over the situation, but his appeal for mercy was courageous, not comical. When Daniel learned of the king's harsh decree that all the wise men be put to death, he showed no fear and no disrespect. He calmly asked for the reason why he was about to be executed.

Daniel's tact was rewarded with a fair explanation and an opportunity to approach the king himself and ask for more time. He didn't attempt to convince the king that his request was unfair, nor did he manufacture excuses to protect himself. Daniel just asked for time to be able to meet the king's demands, and we have to assume that the temporary stay of execution was granted. (v. 16). If this were a Hollywood movie, Daniel might have used the extra time to plan his escape from Babylon, or he and his fellow wise men might have led a revolt against Nebuchadnezzar. But Daniel and his friends employed a less dramatic but much more effective plan: they prayed. The specific prayer was for mercy, which showed that Daniel had unsurpassed wisdom for so young a man.

The fact that Daniel asked for mercy from God instead of from Nebuchadnezzar showed his faith in the limitless power of God. If he had asked the king for mercy, it would have been evidence of doubt in God's ability to match Nebuchadnezzar's request. But Daniel first turned to God for a solution, and he didn't do it alone.

Daniel urged Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah to pray with him, and that is just one of many examples of Daniel's unique leadership qualities. He didn't just behave spiritually in his own private bubble. He sought to involve his friends in earnest prayer and include them in the miraculous intervening work of God.
TODAY ALONG THE WAY
We all come across seemingly impossible tasks and trials. How will you react to the next trial in your life or the one you are currently going through? The temptation is to complain, give up, or think of excuses. You may try to do the impossible through your own strength. Resist those temptations and seek God's help instead. Don't try to prove your own strength by facing the situation alone. Invite some trusted friends to join you in prayer. God owns your circumstances, so ask Him for mercy.

[Soldier4Christ]

Read: Daniel 2:19-23
He gives wisdom to the wise and knowledge to the discerning. He reveals deep and hidden things. - Daniel 2:21, 22
TODAY IN THE WORD
The late Herb Brooks, head coach of the U.S. Olympic Ice Hockey team, was credited by almost everyone as the key to the Americans' stunning victory over the Soviets in the “Miracle on Ice,” voted ESPN's sporting event of the century. After that game, Brooks headed straight for the locker room, allowing his team to enjoy the applause of the exultant crowd. After accomplishing a nearly impossible task, he deflected the glory to his players. He later explained humbly, “It wasn't my spot.”

At the outset of today's reading, Daniel was part of a much more important miracle, but he was just as quick to deflect the glory from himself. His act of immediate praise is a lesson in itself, and the content is loaded with valuable doctrine.

Lest he get carried away with his own intellectual prowess, Daniel attributed all power and wisdom to God. But he knew that the power of God extends far beyond one man. God orchestrates every shifting era, including Daniel's exile. This young man was able to see God's purpose in the fall of his native country and the captivity that resulted. God's sovereignty over the placement and removal of kings is a two-edged sword. Daniel had to respect Nebuchadnezzar because he was divinely appointed on the throne. But he also knew that this earthly king was still subject to the power of God, meaning that Daniel couldn't blindly obey everything the king ordered.

Daniel understood the big picture as well as the specific situation. God revealed an otherwise unknowable mystery to Daniel, and God's knowledge extended both to the dark inner workings of a pagan government and to the divine plans for future kingdoms. The content of the dream just revealed to Daniel forecast the future of world powers, and Daniel responded in awe of God's sovereignty.

But even the Master of the Universe took time to answer the request of four young men. God proved once again that He is powerful and accessible. He deserves all the praise, indeed.
TODAY ALONG THE WAY
It's critical for us to bring our requests to God, so how much greater is the need to recognize Him for answering our prayers? And how much has God given us that we never even thought to ask for? Take an inventory now specifically of the wisdom and the power that God has imparted to you. Don't forget that God has offered you truth and power that even Daniel didn't fully realize: the mystery of the gospel and the baptism of the Holy Spirit. Thank and praise Him for His gifts to you.

[Soldier4Christ]

Read: Daniel 2:24-35
But there is a God in heaven who reveals mysteries. - Daniel 2:28
TODAY IN THE WORD
Two men in the service of Macedonian ruler Philip II, father of Alexander the Great, each had only one daily task. The first man began the day by telling the king, “Philip, remember that you are but a man.” Likewise, the second man ended each day by inquiring of the king, “Philip, have you remembered that you are but a man?”

That degree of humility is rare in kings and peasants and every station in between. Daniel was able to maintain a humble attitude, but it didn't take long for others to use his wisdom for their own glory. Daniel sought out Arioch, the man charged with the task of executing the less-than-wise men, and told him that he could interpret the king's dream. Notice that Arioch spun the story a bit differently for the king, making it sound as if he personally discovered Daniel among the nameless exiles of Judah.

In contrast to Arioch's false pride, Daniel acknowledged that he was just a man, and he gave all the credit to God, to whom it belonged. Daniel's praise of the Lord isn't some throwaway line, like some athletes who say in post-game interviews, “First, I'd like to thank God—for making me the best player in the world!” Daniel repeatedly states that he is unable to complete the king's task (vv. 27, 30). Three times, in verses 28-30, Daniel uses the word reveal to trace the path of knowledge back to God. Daniel made it known that though the people of God were in exile, God Himself was still in control.

Today, we'll look at the elements of the dream, but we won't delve into Daniel's interpretation until tomorrow. For now, notice the detail Daniel used to describe Nebuchadnezzar's dream. He didn't employ vague references like some bogus psychic. If Daniel had been mistaken about any details, he likely could have been killed. But he didn't play it safe. Daniel had complete faith that the dream revealed to him was from the Lord and totally accurate. Daniel might have been humble, but he was definitely not timid. Even without looking at the results of Daniel's actions, we can be certain that he did all the right things in precisely the right way.
TODAY ALONG THE WAY
One of the most difficult balancing acts for a Christian is clothing ourselves with equal parts boldness and humility. We serve God effectively—but then become proud. Or we try to humble ourselves but in doing so withdraw from the action. Try to use this ABC reminder as a guide. Begin and end each day enforcing an Attitude of humility. Throughout the day, Behave according to God's purpose for you. And remember that you can do it all through Christ, who strengthens you.

[Soldier4Christ]

Read: Daniel 2:36-45
The dream is true and the interpretation is trustworthy. - Daniel 2:45
TODAY IN THE WORD
It's hard to know who was more famous, Edgar Bergen or his ventriloquist dummy, Charlie McCarthy. While attempting to attend a dinner at the White House, Bergen was forbidden entry by the Secret Service because he had no identification. Thinking quickly, he removed Charlie from his case and put on a brief performance. The dummy scanned his master briefly and told the guards, “Yeah, fellows, he's Edgar Bergen.” They both were allowed entry immediately.

Likewise, Daniel gained access to the king's trust by doing something no one else could do. By correctly describing the king's dream, Daniel proved that his interpretation of the dream could also be trusted.

The interpretation begins with a reminder that Nebuchadnezzar's great power comes from God. Notice how Daniel is able to affirm God's superiority without disrespecting the king. It was an especially wise tactic considering that Daniel was about to describe the kingdoms that would ultimately remove Nebuchadnezzar from power. This dream, though, is not really a proclamation of judgment against Nebuchadnezzar. By describing three subsequent kingdoms represented by the metals in the statue and a final indestructible kingdom of God, Daniel is clearly laying out a plan for the destiny of the world.

Each kingdom has characteristics of its own, from the majestic gold head, to the inferior silver and bronze sections, to the mighty iron legs stemming from feet of composite iron and clay that can never completely be united. Although ultimately planned in God's sovereignty, all earthly kingdoms represented in the statue—and all current governments for that matter—were formed by the handiwork of men. The stone that shattered them all to pieces is different, uncut by men. It represents a kingdom that no council of men could formulate and no elections could ever produce. This kingdom will be completely devised by God. For Daniel, seeing this dream revealed must have been humbling and inspiring. He was able to see the future—God would ultimately bring the earth under His direct and supreme command.
TODAY ALONG THE WAY
Living in a God-honoring way gave Daniel something more valuable than high praise, authority, or wealth—he earned credibility, which led to God's glory. We can't undo history, but Christ's blood can wash away your sin, and the Holy Spirit can transform you. Bow before God today and let Him change you according to His will. He can remove the sin from your life, which will make your testimony both powerful and trustworthy for His glory.

[Soldier4Christ]

Read: Daniel 2:46-49
Surely your God is the God of gods and the Lord of kings. - Daniel 2:47
TODAY IN THE WORD
The first man to be photographed atop Mount Everest was not the first man to climb Mount Everest. Sir Edmund Hillary chose to be the man behind the camera, and instead photographed his guide, Tenzing Norgay. Hillary later explained why he didn't have his own picture taken instead, saying, “As far as I knew, he had never taken a photograph before—and the summit of Everest was hardly the place to show him how!” All humor aside, Hillary owed the success of his journey to his helper Norgay, and he rewarded his Tibetan sherpa with honor and fame.

King Nebuchadnezzar bestowed a similar honor to Daniel after his interpretation of the king's dream. It isn't surprising that Daniel was rewarded for such an act, but it must have come as a shock to the royal court to see the king falling at the feet of a man as young as Daniel. One might have at least expected Nebuchadnezzar to glory in the moment for himself, but he did not. He proclaimed rightly that Jehovah was supreme above all gods and kings. It wasn't a complete conversion to faith in God, as we'll see exemplified tomorrow, but in that moment, the king recognized that he had never witnessed such divine power displayed through a man.

Daniel's main reward was an elevated position in Babylon, especially over the wise men. Remember that at the beginning of this chapter, Daniel wasn't even among the wise men originally consulted to interpret the dream; he didn't learn of the dream until after the decree to execute the wise men.

We can't be certain what effect Daniel had on the studies of the magicians and astrologers in Nebuchadnezzar's court; the Bible doesn't say much more about this type of wise men. The only other magi that appear in the Bible still showed a fascination with stars; but they also had a deep interest in the God of Israel—so much so, they traveled a long way to bring gifts to His Son. Again, we can't know for sure that Daniel's influence had anything to do with leading the wise men to Bethlehem, but he most definitely directed the eyes of Babylon to the power of the one true God.
TODAY ALONG THE WAY
Daniel received quite a lot from the king, but the only spoken praise from Nebuchadnezzar's mouth was for God alone. Daniel wanted it that way, and we should follow his lead. When you do something well, make sure that God gets the glory. Don't wait to hear, “Thank you,” or, “Well done.” Thank God in your heart and encourage others to do the same. Praising God for what He does through you will help keep your attitude positive, even if your own contribution goes unnoticed.

[Soldier4Christ]

Read: Daniel 3:1-15
They neither serve your gods nor worship the image of gold you have set up. - Daniel 3:12
TODAY IN THE WORD
Upon discovering the formula for measuring the flow of electric current through a wire, high school teacher Georg Ohm thought he might earn himself a collegiate professor position. Although his formula would later be known as Ohm's Law, at the time it was roundly rejected in the science community and he was fired from his existing job. Sometimes being the only one in the right leads to unfair punishment.

Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah stood out from the pack because of their godliness. Up to this point, the group known more commonly by their Babylonian names of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego had their faithfulness rewarded with positions of esteem and power. But that treatment took a serious turn for the worse when a direct order of the king came into blatant conflict with the laws of God. Their faith was put to a very simple but crucial test: either worship God or worship Nebuchadnezzar.

You might be wondering where Daniel fits into this story, and the simple answer is that we don't know. We know from the end of chapter 2 that Daniel was placed in a position distinct from that of his friends. But his absence from this story reminds us that Daniel is not the true hero of this book—God is. Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego had a lot to lose, and very little to gain, it would appear. These three men had positions of authority. The dedication of the statue seems to be a sort of national leadership meeting (v. 3). It's also clear that these men certainly knew the penalty for disobedience (v. 6).

Note that the men didn't make a spectacle of their defiance. It took the tattling of some astrologers to bring the matter to the king's attention. The Aramaic phrase translated “denounced” in the niv is particularly strong, literally meaning “ate the pieces of.” Perhaps these other rulers were jealous of the Jews' quick ascension to power and picked the three easiest targets for their wrath. Tomorrow we'll discover that positions of power meant very little to these three servants of God.
TODAY ALONG THE WAY
You may find that obeying God and obeying the laws of men usually go hand in hand. But that isn't always the case. When legal or social mandates require you to compromise your faith, are you prepared to do the right thing . . . and to do it in the right way? Ask the Lord to give you the strength to stand for what is right, but also the humility to avoid self-righteous grandstanding. Make sure you are disobeying for God's sake, not for your own publicity.

[Soldier4Christ]

Read: Daniel 3:15-23
We will not serve your gods or worship the image of gold you have set up. - Daniel 3:18
TODAY IN THE WORD
Philip II had brought his rule to almost all of the cities of Greece, except one: the Spartan city-state of Lacedaemon. So he sent the following statement to threaten them into submission: “You are advised to submit without further delay.” He continued, “If I bring my army into your land, I will destroy your farms, slay your people, and raze your city.” He soon received a bold but simple answer in the form of a one-word reply: “If.” The small but resilient city was spared.

Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego couldn't match Nebuchadnezzar's strength, but they weren't afraid to take the punishment he dished out. Their first refusal to bow to his statue was difficult, but it was essentially a silent objection. This time, though, the spotlight of the king's wrath shined squarely on them, and there was even greater pressure to submit to his demands.

Nebuchadnezzar had already learned that the God of Israel is able to reveal truth to His servants, but he doubted God's ability to save the three dissenters (v. 15). They responded, not by proclaiming their own faith, but by calling attention to God's power. They knew that God was able to save them, and even if He did not rescue them in this instance, they were willing to die to uphold the integrity of His name.

The king took their moral stand as a challenge to his authority. He let his pride turn to rage, and that reaction only resulted in the loss of his own servants. He had the fire stoked to such a blazing degree that the strongest soldiers in his army, who escorted the men to the furnace, died from the scorching heat.

For Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, their faith in God wasn't a bargaining chip. There were no church leaders to impress and no religious activist groups to defend them. How easy it would have been to compromise and bow. But they were willing to lose their lives that very day to avoid breaking the commandment of God. Whether they survived the heat of the furnace, these men prevailed over the pressure to take the easy way out for their own benefit.
TODAY ALONG THE WAY
Today's reading is a reminder that the means are sometimes more important than the end result. Many believers have made similar stands, only to be martyred without being rescued. By doing the honorable thing, we can show the world the righteousness of God; only He can display His power. When this world tempts you to compromise your faith, be willing to accept the consequences that threaten your obedience. Our God is stronger than this world.

[Soldier4Christ]

Read: Daniel 3:24-30
No other god can save in this way. - Daniel 3:29
TODAY IN THE WORD
Rudyard Kipling was reading the newspaper one day when he discovered a story he was certain was completely untrue. He immediately called the newspaper's office to report the misprint. He said, “I've just read that I am dead. Don't forget to delete me from your list of subscribers.”

Any news of the deaths of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego in Babylon that day would have been quite premature. Those escorting them into the furnace had died from the intense heat, but Daniel's friends were, as King Nebuchadnezzar put it, “walking around in the fire” (v. 25). He had expected to see three burning corpses but instead saw four perfectly unharmed individuals, one of whom appeared to be a god.

Nebuchadnezzar may not have been a godly king, but he didn't deny the power of Yahweh. He rapidly switched from intense rage to amazement and then to high esteem for the Lord, referring to the men as “servants of the Most High God” when he beckoned them from the furnace (v. 26).

As Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego emerged from the fire, the gaze of the Babylonian leadership shifted. Just as at the beginning of the chapter, the satraps, prefects, governors, and royal advisers fixed their collective gaze on one place—but this time the ninety-foot statue was a distant afterthought. Now the leaders all wondered at the handiwork of a higher King. The Lord had saved His servants by His mighty hand, and everyone who was anyone in Babylon was there to see it.

Nebuchadnezzar summed up their faith (v. 28), and amazingly showed no hostility to their strict obedience to their God. He turned that hostility toward anyone who had anything bad to say about the one true God, threatening violent and extensive wrath to anyone who violated this new decree—apparently, Nebuchadnezzar wasn't a big fan of moderation. In one day he gave a religious ultimatum, cast the first violators into a furnace, then promoted them, and issued a new religious ultimatum that directly contradicted the first. Only God can cause such a dramatic change.
TODAY ALONG THE WAY
Nebuchadnezzar underwent a spectacular change of heart in response to God's power, but the miracle would not have happened if Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego hadn't shown such humility, conviction, and courage. Think of someone in your life who has a heart hardened against God. One of the best ways to bring about change in someone else is to commit your heart to serving God alone. Show love and respect, and also show what it means to obey God. Let Him take care of the miracle.