Scripture:
Daniel 3:1-7
Wed, 22 March 2023

Under Pressure to Compromise Spiritually

Observation:

What is the significance of the expression, “Nebuchadnezzar the king”,
being repeated six times in verses 1 to 7?

Deeper Reflection
Nebuchadnezzar made a 90 feet high and 9 feet wide (60 x 6 cubits) “statue of gold” (v.1). It was “a stylised image of Nebuchadnezzar himself, or of his imperial empire” and “a huge monument to the Babylonian Empire itself, ‘The Spirit of Babylon.’” 23Nebuchadnezzar ruled over a great mixture of “nations and peoples of every language” (v.7). He needed to stabilise and strengthen his relatively young empire, and his golden statue was intended to be “a symbol of the unity and strength of his empire.”24 To build unity, there must be loyalty. And this loyalty to King Nebuchadnezzar was to be demonstrated by worshiping his golden statue (v.5). Nebuchadnezzar did not prohibit his subjects from worshipping their own gods. They could continue to worship their gods, “just so long as they gave priority to the official state gods of Babylon”, symbolised by Nebuchadnezzar’s golden statue.25For God’s people, there will be pressure from the world to compromise: to worship the true God and its gods. It can be pressure from authority.26 To worship the golden statue was the king’s “command” that must be obeyed (v.4). “Nebuchadnezzar the king” is repeated six times in verses 1 to 7, out of eight times in Daniel 3. The repetition underscores the king’s authority. It can be pressure to conformity. 27 The whole range of the Babylonian civil service employees (vv.2-3) and “all the nations and peoples of every language” worshipped Nebuchadnezzar’s golden statue (v.7). For God’s faithful people who remain standing, “there’s a tremendous coercion that comes from being among a whole mob of flattened worshipers” 28 .
23 Christopher J. H. Wright, 67 24 Christopher J. H. Wright, 67 25 Christopher J. H. Wright, 67 26 Dale Ralph Davis, The Message of Daniel, The Bible Speaks Today (IVP, 2013), 52 27 Dale Ralph Davis, 52 28 Dale Ralph Davis, 52
Application:

What will I do if I am under pressure to compromise my Christian faith?

Prayer:
Write a prayer to God as your response from your meditation on and application of the Scriptures.
Prayer Pointers:
  • Give thanks and praise
  • Pray for leaders
  • Pray for significant people
  • Pray for the the Nations: That God will turn them from darkness to His Kingdom of light
  • Pray for self
 

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Daily Devo
Daily Devotional Journal
Scripture:
Daniel 6:1-10
Wed, 7 June 2023

Consistent Daily Devotion to God

Observation:

What does verse 10 tell us about Daniel?

Deeper Reflection
For Daniel’s distinguishing competency and character, and commitment to ensuring that the king suffered no loss in his empire, Darius “planned to appoint” him “over the entire kingdom” (v.3). But out of jealousy, Daniel’s fellow-commissioners and the satraps attempted to accuse him of “negligence or corruption” in “government affairs” (v.4a). They could find nothing, because Daniel was “faithful” (v.4b). So, they planned to make accusation against him “with regard to the law of his God” (v.5). And they maliciously instigated Darius to establish a law that “anyone who makes a petition to any god or man” besides the king “for thirty days, shall be cast into the lion’s den” (vv.6-9).Then, “when Daniel knew that the document was signed…he continued kneeling on his knees three times a day, praying and giving thanks before his God, as he had been doing previously” (v.10). This was Daniel’s spiritual discipline with a structure of regular “three times a day”. He kept it daily. We can say that Daniel never missed his quiet time. The most important words in the verse may be “when Daniel knew that the document was signed”. They indicate the context of Daniel’s spiritual discipline: A discipleship challenge where his life was at stake. Daniel’s spiritual discipline was no mere religious ritual and routine. He could have skipped his quiet time “for thirty days” and be safe. He didn’t. Daniel’s spiritual discipline manifested his consistent daily devotion to “his God”: “he continued…three times a day…as he had been doing previously.” At the heart of this spiritual discipline was Daniel’s relationship and fellowship with “his God”.
Application:

How can I cultivate a consistent daily devotion to God?

Prayer:
Write a prayer to God as your response from your meditation on and application of the Scriptures.
Prayer Pointers:
  • Give thanks and praise
  • Pray for leaders
  • Pray for significant people
  • Pray for the Generations: That young people will seek to be devoted to God consistently
  • Pray for self
 

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