August 7th~Stand Up, Stand Out

Daniel 2:1-3:30

Jeremiah 7:1-8:3

The Babylonian King Nebuchadnezzar has risen to world power, conquered Judah, and taken captive some of the people. Daniel and his three friends, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego were among them. However, though the Jews were under Babylonian authority, the Lord quickly reminded the Babylonians that they were under His authority. He did this with two events.

First, He disturbed Nebuchadnezzar with a dream that only He could interpret (2:1-49). It was a dream of a giant statue of mixed metals. The head was made of gold, the chest and arms of silver, the belly and thighs of bronze, the legs of iron, and the feet of iron and clay. In short, the Lord revealed to the King the four great empires of ancient history — the Babylonians (the head of gold), the Medo-Persians (chest and arms of silver), the Greeks (belly and thighs of bronze), and the legs of iron (Romans). The rock that fell from heaven and struck the feet of iron and clay is the Kingdom of God that will be established by Christ in the end times.

The second event occurred when Nebuchadnezzar built and dedicated a statue to himself. At the dedication, he demanded that all people bow before it. Of course, doing so would defy the first commandment, of having no other gods but the One True God. When Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego refused to bow down, they were cast into a fiery furnace, only to be rescued by the Lord. It was the second time that Nebuchadnezzar had a run-in with our God.

As great and powerful as he was, he discovered that there was a higher power than him, the God of heaven and earth. Daniel wrote, “Praise His name forever and ever, for He alone has all wisdom and power. He determines the course of world events; He removes kings and sets others on the throne” (2:19, 20).

Daily Reflection

While it is an honor to serve our God, it is never easy, especially when the world wants to “tear us limb from limb” or throw us into “a furnace.” Standing up for the Lord among the cynical skeptics of the world demands a great deal of courage and faith. Have you ever faced such a decision, when you were forced to choose God or going with the flow? Explain.

What did you do when you were faced with this tough choice? Did you demonstrate courage and faith or cower to the enemy?

Persecution is quickly becoming a reality in America. Why do you think that is?

With a world system that is bent on plowing under the principles and people of God, it is only a matter of time before the pressure will be put on you to make a choice. What will you do in that moment, bow down like everyone else or stand up and represent your God?

BiAY.org | Day 219 — 146 Days to Go