Monday, June 09, 2008

As you are reading in the book of Daniel you’ll find in chapter 2 that Nebuchadnezzar had a dream.  He called in the astrologers and wise men in his court to not only interpret the dream but to tell him what the dream was, because he really wanted to make sure they were authentic. 

This is what the astrologers said when he pressed them on the issue: “There is not a man on earth who can do what the king asks.  No king, no matter how great and mighty, has ever asked such a thing of any magician or enchanter or astrologer.  What the king asks is too difficult.  No one can reveal it to the king except the gods, and they do not live among men.”  What a confession! 

As you read the book of Daniel, it is obvious that God dwells among men.  Now it is true that the gods that they were referring to don’t live among men.  They are not available when you really need them.  They can’t help when you cry out to them. 

Contrast that with the experiences of  Shadrach, Meschech and Abednego , who were willing to take their stand as faithful followers of God in the face of  Nebuchadnezzar’s threat to throw them into the furnace, because they knew that God was with them, and they weren’t disappointed.  When Nebuchadnezzar had them thrown into the fire he didn’t just see 3 men, he saw 4.  God was with them. 

When Daniel was thrown into the lion’s den he wasn’t alone.  God was with him. 

We can have the same confidence if we trust in the Savior.  He’ll never leave or forsake us.  We have a God who is alive, available and present every moment of every day.