Bound and Determined

Howdy gang.

So I’ve been reading in the book of Daniel and find it so inspiring. I’d like to share a little with you!

In studying Daniel and his posse (Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego), it is easy to conclude there is a “great favor” that rests on those who have complete and sole loyalty with God! Daniel and his small group of Hebrew buddies were unquestioned leaders in the kings court soley because of their divine favor, proving to be faithfully committed in serving under an unbelieving godless king. There is a DELIBERATE (there’s that word again from one of my last blogs) ALLEGIANCE demonstrated towards God as we come into the third chapter where we see King Nebuchadnezzar is reigning.

Now understand, King Nebuchadnezzar is clearly pictured as an idolatrous, prideful king.

Obviously, that is not tolerated for too long in God’s kingdom!

At this point, Daniel, along with his buddies Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego were brought before the king and chosen to serve in the kings palace. Now, in chapter 3 many of you know the story of the “fiery furnace”, but let’s just do a quick recap.

King Nebuchadnezzar in all of his pride and arrogance created an image of solid gold and at his command everyone was commanded to bow down and worship the golden image. “Whoever would not fall down and worship would be cast immediately into the midst of the burning fiery furnace”.  As you read through chapter 3 when Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego refuse to bow down (there’s that allegiance), King Nebuchadnezzar in all of his FURY orders the furnace to be turned up seven times hotter (this is a great example of rage out of control ….like an undisciplined child – that’s another teaching).

Now, let’s look at verse 20. “ And he commanded certain mighty men of valor who were in his army to BIND Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego and cast them into the burning fiery furnace. Securely tied, they fell into the roaring flames.”  Now, remembering that they are in the burning FIRE, let’s skip down to verse 25 where King Nebuchadnezzar speaks. “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.” (remember there was only three Hebrew men bound and thrown into the fire)

There are two things I want to point out here that we can recognize and apply to our own lives. First, in verse 20 we see the words “to bind”, this word is used quite often throughout the Scriptures describing how the enemy (The devil) comes to bind, confuse, to trap and to ultimatley kill. Almost like a spider whose prey is bound, trapped (with no way out) and caught up in its web. Seemingly, with no opportunity of escape. This is what the enemy of our soul does with us in our walk with God. He comes in and attempts to BIND us up; trap us, destroy us, confuse us, with ultimate efforts of killing us! His sole purpose is to HOLD US CAPTIVE by our circumstances. To keep us bound and ineffective.

Do you have BINDING circumstances holding you back, making you ineffective in your life? Well, hang tight gang because there is an answer!

Now, interestingly as we see in verse 25 the three Hebrew boys demonstrate remarkable faith in the face of a full on attack from their enemy. They are bound by their enemy. In the midst of the fire, in the midst of the heat, in the midst of the appearance of being trapped with no escape, THERE, out of nowhere, comes OUR JESUS!

Right in the middle of the bound up, trapped, fiery position we find ourselves in, HE JOINS US!!! WE NEVER STAND ALONE…. NOT EVER!!! Isn’t that just like our Lord and Savior!

So let’s learn something from this. When you’re feeling bound, trapped, caught up and confused about where to find yourself but have kept your devotion and allegiance to your Father, look around, because just as the three Hebrew children were protected and rescued, so too, will you be!!!