OzThoughts Tuesday 7th October 2008

OzThoughts Tuesday 7th October 2008

While the story of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego is one of the favourites of the Sunday school story time, the real lesson is one for adults. The lesson is one of faith and standing for our belief in God no matter who may oppose us.

The story is one of religion and politics. It is the stuff of daily life. When I say politics it is not only elections and government but the politics or power plays in the workplace and even the family. There are many who engineer situations which test our faith and maybe even set traps for us. It is these situations that we need to stand for God and can also have the assurance he stands with us.

Prayer:
Heavenly Father, I thank you that in ever situation of life I face today that you are there. Thank you for your presence and power. Thank you for the thoughts and the words to express them that enable me to remain faithful to you. Amen.


[Listen and watch: Congregational Song : http://www.salvoaudio.com/video/video_015.WMV ]

I'll go in the strength of the Lord,
In paths he has marked for my feet;
I'll follow the light of his word,
Nor shrink from the dangers I meet,
His presence my steps shall attend,
His fulness my wants shall supply;
On him, till my journey shall end,
My unwavering faith shall rely.

Chorus
I'll go, I'll go in the strength,
I'll go in the strength of the Lord
I'll go, I'll go in the strength,
I'll go in the strength of the Lord.

I'll go in the strength of the Lord
To work he appoints me to do;
In joy which his smile doth afford
My soul shall her vigor renew.
His wisdom shall guard me from harm.
His power my sufficiency prove;
I'll trust his omnipotent arm,
And prove his unchangeable love.

I'll go in the strength of the Lord
To conflicts which faith will require,
His grace as my shield and reward,
My courage and zeal shall inspire.
Since he gives the word of command.
To meet and encounter the foe,
With his sword of truth in my hand.
To suffer and triumph I'll go.
Author: Edward Turney (1816-72)
The Salvation Army Song Book: Song Number: 734

Daniel 3 (The Message)

Four Men in the Furnace
1King Nebuchadnezzar built a gold statue, ninety feet high and nine feet thick. He set it up on the Dura plain in the province of Babylon. 2He then ordered all the important leaders in the province, everybody who was anybody, to the dedication ceremony of the statue. 3They all came for the dedication, all the important people, and took their places before the statue that Nebuchadnezzar had erected.
4A herald then proclaimed in a loud voice: "Attention, everyone! Every race, color, and creed, listen! 5When you hear the band strike up--all the trumpets and trombones, the tubas and baritones, the drums and cymbals--fall to your knees and worship the gold statue that King Nebuchadnezzar has set up. 6Anyone who does not kneel and worship shall be thrown immediately into a roaring furnace."
7The band started to play, a huge band equipped with all the musical instruments of Babylon, and everyone--every race, color, and creed--fell to their knees and worshiped the gold statue that King Nebuchadnezzar had set up.
8Just then, some Babylonian fortunetellers stepped up and accused the Jews. 9They said to King Nebuchadnezzar, "Long live the king! 10You gave strict orders, O king, that when the big band started playing, everyone had to fall to their knees and worship the gold statue, 11and whoever did not go to their knees and worship it had to be pitched into a roaring furnace. 12Well, there are some Jews here--Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego--whom you have placed in high positions in the province of Babylon. These men are ignoring you, O king. They don't respect your gods and they won't worship the gold statue you set up."
13Furious, King Nebuchadnezzar ordered Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego to be brought in. When the men were brought in, 14Nebuchadnezzar asked, "Is it true, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, that you don't respect my gods and refuse to worship the gold statue that I have set up? 15I'm giving you a second chance--but from now on, when the big band strikes up you must go to your knees and worship the statue I have made. If you don't worship it, you will be pitched into a roaring furnace, no questions asked. Who is the god who can rescue you from my power?"
16Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego answered King Nebuchadnezzar, "Your threat means nothing to us. 17If you throw us in the fire, the God we serve can rescue us from your roaring furnace and anything else you might cook up, O king. 18But even if he doesn't, it wouldn't make a bit of difference, O king. We still wouldn't serve your gods or worship the gold statue you set up."
19Nebuchadnezzar, his face purple with anger, cut off Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego. He ordered the furnace fired up seven times hotter than usual. 20He ordered some strong men from the army to tie them up, hands and feet, and throw them into the roaring furnace. 21Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, bound hand and foot, fully dressed from head to toe, were pitched into the roaring fire. 22Because the king was in such a hurry and the furnace was so hot, flames from the furnace killed the men who carried Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego to it, 23while the fire raged around Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego.
24Suddenly King Nebuchadnezzar jumped up in alarm and said, "Didn't we throw three men, bound hand and foot, into the fire?"
"That's right, O king," they said.
25"But look!" he said. "I see four men, walking around freely in the fire, completely unharmed! And the fourth man looks like a son of the gods!"
26Nebuchadnezzar went to the door of the roaring furnace and called in, "Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, servants of the High God, come out here!"
Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego walked out of the fire.
27All the important people, the government leaders and king's counselors, gathered around to examine them and discovered that the fire hadn't so much as touched the three men--not a hair singed, not a scorch mark on their clothes, not even the smell of fire on them!
28Nebuchadnezzar said, "Blessed be the God of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego! He sent his angel and rescued his servants who trusted in him! They ignored the king's orders and laid their bodies on the line rather than serve or worship any god but their own.
29"Therefore I issue this decree: Anyone anywhere, of any race, color, or creed, who says anything against the God of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego will be ripped to pieces, limb from limb, and their houses torn down. There has never been a god who can pull off a rescue like this." 30Then the king promoted Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego in the province of Babylon.

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