Daniel 3:29
“Therefore I make a decree that any people, nation, or population of any language that speaks anything offensive against the God of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-nego shall be torn limb from limb and their houses made a rubbish heap, because there is no other god who is able to save in this way.”
This was quite a turn around. A few verses earlier he had built a statue of himself that he commanded the kingdom to worship. Now he wants God to be honored. It reminds me of what Jesus said at the triumphal entry. The pharisees told Jesus to silence the crowd, as they were shouting, “Hosanna! Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord!” Jesus’ response is awesome. “I tell you,” He answered, “if they remain silent, the very stones will cry out”, (Luke 19:40).
God will be praised. Nebuchadnezzar wanted worship, then he ends up praising God. The people were praising Jesus’ entry, the pharisees wanted them silenced. If He had the rocks would praise Him.
Even though many don’t praise God now, they will. Philippians 2:10,11 says, “so that at the name of Jesus EVERY KNEE WILL BOW, of those who are in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and that every tongue will confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.” Those who don’t fear God won’t bow in this life, but they will in the afterlife.
Nebuchadnezzar learned to praise God. We do too. It’s easy to praise Him in the good times. It’s in the bad that we struggle. We need to learn the lesson of Romans 8:28, “And we know that He causes all to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose.” There are plenty of things that we have difficulty with. We still have to believe it.
Some things we see the purpose of trials. Other things we don’t. We can ask for wisdom. Some times He will give it. Other times we have to trust. This can be very difficult. Some people lose family members. That’s very difficult to handle. It would be difficult to try to consul that person.
This life can have much pain. I’ve written many times about my struggles. When it comes down to it, we must trust Him. I like what Peter said in light of Jesus’ uncomfortable words. Jesus knew that people were following Him because of the food He provided. He didn’t want a popular movement. John 6:53 says, ‘So Jesus said to them, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink His blood, you have no life in yourselves.’ People were following with wrong motives. He was separating the wheat from the chaff. Then Jesus looked at His disciples and asks if they will leave as well. Peter shares his wonderful confession in John 6:68, ‘Simon Peter answered Him, “Lord, to whom shall we go? You have words of eternal life.”‘ Yes, life has troubles and God allows some of them. To be with Him is far better than to be without.
Thank You, Lord, for Your goodness and Your power to make right. Help us to trust You more. Help us to praise You more. We will all praise You in the next life. Help us to willingly do it in this one.