Do you ever feel like it’s you against the world? I mean the whole world; every single person in the world is against you. Do you ever feel like that?
I think Scripture teaches that men and women of God are going to have those feelings quite often. It’s stated very matter-of-factly in the Bible. If you’re walking in the light as a child of God, it’s going to seem sometimes like you’re all by yourself.
The writer of Daniel sets up the story of the fiery furnace in a particular way that illustrates the entire world as standing opposed to Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego. Daniel 3:2 tells us that all the “satraps, prefects, governors, advisers, treasurers, judges, magistrates, and all the other provincial officials” were summoned to the dedication of the king’s giant image of gold. Then in the very next verse, the writer reminds us that all the “satraps, prefects, governors, advisers, treasurers, judges, magistrates, and all the other provincial officials” assembled for the statue’s dedication. In verse four, the herald addresses “nations and men of every language.” Same thing in verse seven, “peoples and nations and men of every language.” They all fell down and worshiped this idol.
They all worshiped the idol, the king. The whole world. All the government. All the officials. All the important people. All the people of prestige and status. All the educated people. All the well-trained and successful people. All the people in charge. Every nation, every language — they are all represented here. The writer of Scripture says the whole world ignored the commands of God and bowed down before the statue.
Everybody except these three young boys who told the king, “The God we serve is able to save us, and he will rescue us from your hand, O king. But even if he does not, we want you to know, O king, that we will not serve your gods or worship the image of gold” (Daniel 3:17-18).
Once the three men are delivered by God, it’s interesting to me that the “satraps, prefects, governors, and royal advisors” gathered around the furnace and were commanded by the king to praise the God of Israel (Daniel 3:27-28) and that “people of every nation or language” were also warned to speak well of our God (Daniel 3:29).
The story reminds me that some day every knee will bow and every tongue will confess the Lordship of our God in Christ. It’s going to happen. This world that stands opposed to you will recognize our God some day. You’re on the right team. You serve the Almighty God. He will rescue you. And you will be rewarded for your faithfulness to him.
In the words of the true and reigning King of the Universe, “In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world!”
Peace,
Allan
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