Message Two: There is a God in Heaven
Daniel 1-3
Israel was invaded and overcome by King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon and many of the young men of Israel “in whom there was no blemish, but good-looking, gifted in all wisdom…knowledge…and understanding” were taken captive back to Babylon to serve in the king’s palace. Among the captives were Daniel, Shadrach, Meshach and Abed-Nego who purposed in their heart that they would not defile themselves “with the portion of the king’s delicacies, nor with the wine which he drank.” It was a test of faith and integrity that they passed with flying colors and Daniel and his friends were placed in positions of honor serving the king.
Soon after this victory, King Nebuchadnezzar had a dream that troubled him greatly. The king called all “the wise men, the astrologers, the magicians and the soothsayers” and required of them to both tell the dream and to give its interpretation. When none of them were able, he sent out a decree that all the “wise men” were to be killed, including Daniel and his companions. Daniel told his friends to pray with him and God revealed to Daniel the dream and its interpretation.
Daniel 2:27-28
27 Daniel replied, “No wise man, enchanter, magician or diviner can explain to the king the mystery he has asked about, 28 but there is a God in heaven who reveals mysteries. He has shown King Nebuchadnezzar what will happen in days to come.
In the dream, the king saw a great image made of different kinds of metal representing the rise of different kingdoms that would come to power. The image had a head of gold which Daniel proclaimed represented Babylon and the reign of King Nebuchadnezzar.
Chapter 3: Image of Gold...the dedication…the order to bow and worship the image…
Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-Nego refused to bow…
Daniel 3:13-18
13 Then Nebuchadnezzar, in rage and fury, gave the command to bring Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-Nego. So they brought these men before the king. 14 Nebuchadnezzar spoke, saying to them, “Is it true, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-Nego, that you do not serve my gods or worship the gold image which I have set up? 15 Now if you are ready at the time you hear the sound of the horn, flute, harp, lyre, and psaltery, in symphony with all kinds of music, and you fall down and worship the image which I have made, good! But if you do not worship, you shall be cast immediately into the midst of a burning fiery furnace. And who is the god who will deliver you from my hands?”
16 Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-Nego answered and said to the king, “O Nebuchadnezzar, we have no need to answer you in this matter. 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. 18 But if not, let it be known to you, O king, that we do not serve your gods, nor will we worship the gold image which you have set up.”
Furnace is heated 7 times hotter…the men were bound in their clothes…
Daniel 3:23
And these three men, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-Nego, fell down bound into the midst of the burning fiery furnace.
>>From the mountain top experience of victory to being cast down…bound into the burning furnace…
***But there is a God in heaven…”
Daniel 3: 24-25
24 Then King Nebuchadnezzar was astonished; and he rose in haste and spoke, saying to his counselors, “Did we not cast three men bound into the midst of the fire?”
They answered and said to the king, “True, O king.”
25 “Look!” he answered, “I see four men loose, walking in the midst of the fire; and they are not hurt, and the form of the fourth is like the Son of God.”
There is a God in heaven…and He attends to the affairs of man … especially those who trust in Him…
>>Today, there is much to disturb us and to cause worry and concern about “what will happen in days to come”. There may be things in your personal life, family issues, financial, or health issues that cause distress about the future.
“But there is a God in heaven” who is fully aware of all things and He is intricately involved with the affairs of earth and He cares about you and all that concerns you. God is not only in your today…He is in the “days to come” as well. Trust in Him and He will bring it to pass.
Psalms 37:3-5
3 Trust in the Lord, and do good;
Dwell in the land, and feed on His faithfulness.
4 Delight yourself also in the Lord,
And He shall give you the desires of your heart.
5 Commit your way to the Lord,
Trust also in Him,
And He shall bring it to pass.
