Daniel 3-4   Nebuchadnezzar must have been impressed with the statue from his dream.. so he decided to build one himself.  This statue was made of gold and stood 90 feet high and 9 feet wide.  Then he commanded that music be played and that everyone bow and worship it.  The Jews, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, would not join in this idol worship, but instead chose to obey the Lord's commands.  Nebuchadnezzar seems to have forgotten all about the lesson he learned through Daniel.. so he acts out of anger, throwing the 3 into a furnace of fire.  We know the story.. how the Lord preserved them and even joined them!  And, once again Nebuchadnezzar responded with praise to God and acknowledgement that "there is no other god who is able to deliver.." 

Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, were truly men of great faith.  We find encouragement in their choice to trust God.  " If it be so, our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the furnace of blazing fire; and He will deliver us out of your hand, O king.  But even if He does not, let it be known to you, O king, that we are not going to serve your gods or worship the golden image that you have set up." 

What faith!  When the pressure is strong.. to conform, to compromise, or to deny God.. we need to trust God to deliver us from the hands of men.. knowing that we are in the Hands of the One who is King over all the earth.  He Is the Most High God.. He will deliver us from every foe.. one way or another.  The thing that set these guys apart.. was they were willing to die, if that was the way that God wanted to deliver them.  Death in the Hands of the Most High God is a much better choice than life yielded to Satan's idols or man's pride.

Nebuchadnezzar still had another lesson to learn.  Another dream was given to him and again Daniel was called in to interpret.  This dream warned Nebuchadnezzar that he was about to become like a "beast in the field".   Daniel pled with him to repent from his sins and become of man of righteousness and mercy..  but 12 months later the vision is fulfilled.  For seven years Nebuchadnezzar dwells with the cattle, eats grass, and grows hair like an "eagle's feathers" and nails like "birds' claws".   At the end of the 7 years, he finally lifts his eyes to heaven and worships God.

" I, Nebuchadnezzar , raised my eyes toward heaven, and my reason returned to me, and I blessed the Most High and praised and honored Him who lives forever;  For His dominion is and everlasting dominion , and His kingdom endures from generation to generation. And all the inhabitants of the earth are accounted nothing, but He does according to His will in the host of heaven and among the inhabitants of earth; and no one can ward off His hand or say to Him, 'What has Thou done?'"

The last recorded words of Nebuchadnezzar are given in verse 37 " Now I Nebuchadnezzar praise, exalt, and honor the King of heaven, for all His works are true and His ways just, and He is able to humble those who walk in pride." 

Father in Heaven , these words ring true.. for we know that You are true and just. You do humble the proud and lift up the meek.  You are the everlasting and faithful God who does according to Your own will in heaven and earth.  We give You all praise and glory and honor!  Father, may we have faith like Shadrach and his friends.  May we stand firm even in dire circumstances and in our own daily lives.. filled with distractions and worldly idols.  Strengthen us with spiritual wisdom and understanding so that we may live a life worthy of You.  May the power, love, and grace of Christ overflow in our lives today as we declare that You alone are Lord!  It is in the Name of the Lord Jesus Christ we pray. Amen.