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I was reading on YouVersion for my quiet time this morning, and I’ve never seen the Scripture quite like this, and couldn’t help but wonder ….

Daniel 2:49 Moreover, at Daniel’s request the king appointed Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego administrators over the province of Babylon, while Daniel himself remained at the royal court …

Daniel 3:19 Then Nebuchadnezzar was furious with Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego, and his attitude toward them changed. He ordered the furnace heated seven times hotter than usual 20 and commanded some of the strongest soldiers in his army to tie up Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego and throw them into the blazing furnace.

So, Chapter 2 of Daniel ends with Daniel being promoted because of his interpretation of the King’s dream, and then using his influence to remember his loyal, faithful friends, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego by giving them a place of influence in the political system.  (2:49)

Chapter 3 immediately starts with the story of King Nebudchadnezzar building the huge idol and asking everyone to bow to it.  (I guess his being impressed with Daniel’s God was short-lived).

You know the story – Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego refused to bow to the idol, so the King threw them into the fiery furnace, where they were rescued.

So as I read this, I wonder ….

Where was Daniel?

From the Word:

11 Dear friends, I urge you, as aliens and strangers in the world, to abstain from sinful desires, which war against your soul. 12 Live such good lives among the pagans that, though they accuse you of doing wrong, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day he visits us

(1 Peter 2: 11-12, NIV @ YouVersion.Com)

I love this verse.  Peter makes it clear – we are AT WAR.  Our sinful nature, the lusts of our flesh, and wicked desires – they WAR at our soul.

How comforting to see the Apostle Peter admitting this, yet challenging us to abstain from these desires.

In Verse 12, we realize the “why”.  Not only is yielding to those sinful desires detrimental for our own spiritual health, it hinders our witness to the pagan and unbeliever.  Clearly, our ability to abstain from sin speaks volumes to the pagan, and gives us an opportunity to glorify God through our lifestyle.

“Father, in Jesus’ Name, please empower us by Your Holy Spirit to have the discipline and resolve to abstain from sinful desires today.  Even though the lusts of our flesh may war against us, we know that Your Word promises us an escape from temptation.  Give us eyes to see this escape, and help us walk in holiness, purity, and righteousness today.  May our lifestyle, our words, our thoughts, and our actions glorify You this day.
In Jesus’ Awesome Name!
Amen”.

OK Readers, what verse has really spoken to you in your time with God this week?
Fred