World Changing Words Devotional-Day 63

 DANIEL 3:5, 27 | ⁵ that when you hear the sound of the horn, pipe, lyre, trigon, harp, drum, and entire musical ensemble, you are to fall down and worship the golden statue that King Nebuchadnezzar has set up.

 ²⁷ And the satraps, the prefects, the governors, and the king’s counselors gathered together and saw that the fire had not had any power over the bodies of those men; the hair of their heads was not singed, their tunics were not harmed, and not even the smell of fire came from them.

 The story this week helps to explain the mystery of God’s power and authority. He is the most powerful being imaginable, and the force of every other kind of power. Yet he rarely coerces. Many times we may long for him to punish and destroy wrongdoers and enemies, bringing Final Judgement into this moment. But he seeks true worship and allegiance, which must be freely given, and wants a loyalty based on love, not fear or self-interest. He works most often by preservation and healing, by help and salvation, wielding the gentle weapons of truth and mercy. This leaves room for us to make choices that enhance our dignity and reflect his image.

 Have you ever suffered for your allegiance to God?

 Have you been preserved?

Tags: loyalty, preserve