Daniel 1-6: Tales from the Diaspora (Part II)
Friday, May 3, 2019
The verses in chapter 3 will reveal something special for us. Nebuchadnezzar asks, “Who is the God who can deliver you from my hand?” Hanaiah, Mishael, and Azariah reply so simply: If the God whom we serve is able to save us from the burning fiery furnace and from your hand, O king, he will do so; but [even] if not, let it be known to you, O king, that we will not serve your gods.
This demonstration of dying to self in love for the Creator is so simple yet so eternal. Why do we find it difficult to give ourselves over to God when we know that we are here to serve, know and love this God who so loves us that he dies to self for us in the person of Jesus Christ all day every day? Why do we serve the pagan gods of fame, fashion, fortune, power and control? Why do we succumb to the gods of addictions to behaviors that are so damaging to self and others? Why do we preserve self and neglect those to whom we are sent? These young men speak to us down through the years in both their words and actions when they make their bold statement and step forward to witness to their vocation: Even if their God sees best that they be consumed in the fires of this furnace which is meant to reduce bodies to ash they will not abandon this God. They will not refuse to witness to this God . . . for they know and understand that this God is greater than all else.
Bless the Lord, all you works of the Lord, praise and exalt him above all forever . . .
We find further examples of human fidelity to God from the days of the early Christian Church when we explore the PBS FRONTLINE site at http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/pages/frontline/shows/religion/why/pliny.html Here we see how Christ’s early followers gain strength from the adversity they experience. Pliny the Younger and the Emperor Trajan exchange correspondence and agree that some of the Christ followers must be punished yet they are cautious, knowing that this Jesus movement will likely outlast them all.
The fidelity of these early Christians and other martyrs on the site is impressive. Nothing can make them turn away from God. As we read we wonder at the human capacity to endure such pain, the human ability to refuse the temptation to seek revenge, and the human spirit that exalts what is good in the face of wickedness. And so we pray . . .
Bless the Lord, all you works of the Lord, praise and exalt him above all forever . . .
We are God’s works, faithful and true. Let us act as though we believe in this truth. Praise and exalt God above all forever.
We are God’s art, varied and vibrant. Let us speak as though we believe this is so. Praise and exalt God above all forever.
We are God’s children, frightened and small. Let us love one another as the father loves us. Praise and exalt God above all forever.
Amen.
A re-post from April 18, 2012.
Image from: http://www.nationalgeographic.com/lostgospel/timeline_09.html
For more information on Diaspora, click the image to the right and explore the PBS FRONTLINE site: http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/pages/frontline/shows/religion/maps/jewish.html
The Noontimes 