Daniel Chapter 3

This is a continuation of my reading of Daniel.

3:1     Selfishness’ goal is to put you in the center of everyone else’s world, in plain view, so they can value you. Lack of security makes you project yourself a dozen times larger than you actually are.
3:5     Why are non-Christ-followers more in tune with excellent/full-scale music than people who honor God? God’s original plans for his people were to give them the best the world had to offer, and he demanded the best from them. Why do we think we can give God second, third or fourth best? I am tired of the best writers, best musicians, best artists and best web designers not honoring God. Why have we settled into a place where we don’t dare ourselves to become the best in the world at what God has put a passion in our heart to become? Why am I not dying to find out what that is for me?
3:8-12     No one (especially a Christ-follower) likes to see people prosper because of God’s blessings. I need to become really good at that.
3:15     God can use anyone he wants in any circumstance he wants to bring himself glory. Nebuchadnezzar sets the stage for God to come through unchallenged, with his boast about who has the power to save them.
3:16-18     Daniel’s tenacious obedience set not only an example, but also the bar for his friends. They could boldly stand on the actions/results of Daniel’s leadership. How am I setting up the people who are behind me for success? Have I set a high bar, or one that I didn’t have to try to get over? Am I setting the bar with integrity so that they can be supported/upheld by my actions, or did I cut corners/dishonor God in the process and give them nothing but quicksand? Rack, Shack and Benny all put God’s glory ahead of their own well-being. I need that kind of God-centered obedience in my life. These guys didn’t have to pray about what to do, they knew it and went with it. No questions asked. Why do I act like stuff that God clearly stated in scripture is up for debate/needs to be prayed through?
3:21     These guys did not compromise on issues that matter to God, but were willing to change their culture to be effective in the role that God placed them in. Clothing preference, music preference and anything else are not to be put ahead of fulfilling the calling of God in your life.
3:25     Jesus showed up to support/stand up for the guys who did the same for him. The same still happens today. The Spirit is with us wherever we go and in whatever we do.
3:28-29     Nebby starts praising God for what he had done, then answers his own challenge from before in verse 15. Only God can do what only God can do.