Shadrach, Meshach, Abednego - They Don't Like Us Very Much

Daniel 3:7-12 Therefore, as soon as they heard the sound of the horn, flute, zither, lyre, harp and all kinds of music, all the peoples, nations and men of every language fell down and worshiped the image of gold that King Nebuchadnezzar had set up. At this time some astrologers came forward and denounced the Jews. They said to King Nebuchadnezzar, "O king, live forever! You have issued a decree, O king, that everyone who hears the sound of the horn, flute, zither, lyre, harp, pipes and all kinds of music must fall down and worship the image of gold, and that whoever does not fall down and worship will be thrown into a blazing furnace. But there are some Jews whom you have set over the affairs of the province of Babylon—Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego—who pay no attention to you, O king. They neither serve your gods nor worship the image of gold you have set up."

So all the people in the kingdom are going to bow down to this stupid idol the king had put so much time, effort and money into building. Isn't it ironic how the more foolish something seems to be, the more people seem to fall for it? What benefit does it serve to melt down all that gold to build a nine foot high statue? Surely there were people in the kingdom that could've used that money. Starving children, destitute widows, orphans and more. Nonetheless, when the music started, practically everyone bowed.

Everyone except - those three servant boys that were brought over a few years back. These boys would not bow. They wouldn't bend, wouldn't sway, wouldn't break. I don't believe this was an easy decision for these boys to make. Sure, they knew that God was the only One they would worship, but in making this decision - they put all Jews in jeopardy.
It makes me think of those Jews that were hiding in Nazi Germany. If one person made a move, one sound, the whole family would be found out and this would mean death. What a huge amount of pressure on a young person.

It works the same way with Christianity. If we stand up for what we believe in, Christians - as a whole - may be mocked, mistreated and hated. Many issues lie on the forefront where we must stand up based on our faith in Christ - Marriage of homosexuals, abortion, legalizing prostitution. . . If we waiver, if we do not stand up for what is right according to God, people will continue to bow down to these other idols - never knowing our one true God. We should take that risk - we should accept the consequences for other Christians who take that risk and support them. We should not be angry at those people who agree with the issues that go against what Jesus taught - we should love them and work hard at educating them on the love of Jesus. There is one person behind all of this - Satan, he is our enemy.

The Demon-Possessed Man - Hold the Bacon, please.

Luke 8:32 Now there was a herd of many swine feeding there on the mountain; and the demons implored Him to permit them to enter the swine. And He gave them permission.

Ted Steinberg wrote a small article about our friend 'the pig'. In the early 1800's, pigs used to wonder the streets of New York, other cities as well, but we'll stick to this well-populated city. The pigs would walk amongst the people eating garbage and waste and those people that were not as well to do as others would go out and kill the animals and feed their families. While the pigs did clean up some of the garbage, they added their own garbage when they would defecate on the sidewalks. There were many times they tried to ban the pigs from the streets but were set back by protesters - mostly housewives and the less wealthy. Then in the mid-1800's, cholera set in. The disease spread and was found to be caused by unclean conditions. Nothing is more unclean than pig poop in the streets. The police formed a troop that marched the pigs uptown, instilling a ban in the city of the pigs and clearly dividing city and country.

While we see the cute little piglets and mud-cooling, pink-skinned bacon givers in a better light today, this article gives us a pretty good analogy to the choice made by Jesus to throw the demons into the swine.

At first glance, the pigs seemed to be doing a service to the city - cleaning up the streets of its garbage. Satan always looks good at first glance. This is why it is often so tempting to step into sin - it seems good on the surface. The people thought the pigs were a help to them, it was providing them food for their families. The results of sin can falsely seem like a good answer at the time - a lie to save yourself from being embarrassed, or a slip-up on your taxes so your not financially burdened. But as time wore on - decades later - the urine and everything else that pigs naturally get rid of, caused disease. The same with sin. The natural decay that sin causes soon leads to a deadly result. The only option in both scenarios is to rid the place of the problem. They drove the pigs out of the city. Are we ready to drive the sin out of our lives?

Job - Is it Raining at Your House?

Job 1:12-22 The LORD said to Satan, "Very well, then, everything he has is in your hands, but on the man himself do not lay a finger." Then Satan went out from the presence of the LORD. One day when Job's sons and daughters were feasting and drinking wine at the oldest brother's house,a messenger came to Job and said, "The oxen were plowing and the donkeys were grazing nearby, and the Sabeans attacked and carried them off. They put the servants to the sword, and I am the only one who has escaped to tell you!" While he was still speaking, another messenger came and said, "The fire of God fell from the sky and burned up the sheep and the servants, and I am the only one who has escaped to tell you!" While he was still speaking, another messenger came and said, "The Chaldeans formed three raiding parties and swept down on your camels and carried them off. They put the servants to the sword, and I am the only one who has escaped to tell you!" While he was still speaking, yet another messenger came and said, "Your sons and daughters were feasting and drinking wine at the oldest brother's house, when suddenly a mighty wind swept in from the desert and struck the four corners of the house. It collapsed on them and they are dead, and I am the only one who has escaped to tell you!"At this, Job got up and tore his robe and shaved his head. Then he fell to the ground in worship and said:"Naked I came from my mother's womb, and naked I will depart. The LORD gave and the LORD has taken away; may the name of the LORD be praised." In all this, Job did not sin by charging God with wrongdoing.

Have you ever heard the phrase "when it rains it pours"? I often hear myself say it when there is sickness in my family. We'll go along for a nice stretch of everyone being healthy and doing school on time and then one of the kids will get a sore throat and the next thing you know - all the kids have it - when it rains it pours. It's hard enough to deal with it when it's only one child - but when it's four, it's just plain exhausting.

God has said the words that Satan wanted to hear, and off he goes to the land of Job. Job was minding his own business. It absolutely blows my mind to read these verses and think of Job simply sitting in his house taking it all in. First - the Sabeans attack and take all his plowing animals and field hands. This had to be a blow to Job. That was part of his income, and all those people that worked for him - how sad, how would he deal with the families of his workers. But, before he has time to think about this, another man shows up to tell him all his sheep and shepherds have been killed. A meteor fell from the sky (Dorothy interpretation) and killed them all with fire. That's almost unbelievable. I think Job would've been looking for Allen Funt and his hidden camera at this point. Job didn't have time to look though because another man had just come into his house to tell him that the Chaldeans came and took all his camels and servants. I think that about covers all of his income. Bankruptcy had to be imminent. No time to dwell on that though, because a tornado came (again Dorothy interpretation) and killed all of his partying children. Still, Job in all his grief, praised God.

I know I've mentioned this before, but I must say it again. It's not God's fault when something bad happens. Every bad event that just occurred before Job was instigated, laid out and followed through by Satan. Don't think for one minute that abortion, murder, rape, theft, adultery, alcoholism, starvation, cancer have ever come from God. Satan is at the forefront of all evil. Can God overcome this evil? Absolutely! Is it possible that God may not intervene in the situation? Yes. Will it all work out for God's people in the end anyway? Without a doubt.

In this horrific situation that Job is going through - caused solely by the devil - would it have been easy for him to blame God? Sure. God is always a good fall-guy. But here, in the book of Job - make no mistake - scripture reveals it - Satan is at the steering wheel and the problems start when he arrives. Cling to God, rest on His promise, hold fast to His truth and know there is hope.

Job - Just Say No

Job 1:9-11 "Does Job fear God for nothing?" Satan replied. "Have you not put a hedge around him and his household and everything he has? You have blessed the work of his hands, so that his flocks and herds are spread throughout the land. But stretch out your hand and strike everything he has, and he will surely curse you to your face."

Today during math time, Sarie (my youngest, 8 year old daughter) began to get an attitude because she got a problem wrong. As I began to explain - very calmly really - why she should not act like this, she looks me in the eye - puts her hands to block me out and says, "This conversation is over." . . .
Needless to say, Sarie is without TV for a month. Along with that punishment, she received a nice long lecture on who was in charge in this relationship and she has no business talking to me like that. It's a good thing she's cute. :)


In walks Satan - after God tells him that Job is upright and fears God - Satan tells God that it's only because God protects and gives him everything, that Job wouldn't love God if He didn't give him all that stuff. Maybe here is where God should've explained to Satan who's in charge in that relationship - that Satan had no business talking to Him like that. Why didn't He? Why didn't God just say - Get out of my house and leave my people alone!

Here's why He didn't. Here's why He doesn't. He leaves it up to us. It is up to us to tell Satan who's in charge and to leave us alone. So if you didn't know it before, here it is for you now. It is up to US to say 'no' to Satan. It is up to us to turn away from him and make that effort to stay strong in God.

Job - Jesus loves me.

Job 1:8 Then the LORD said to Satan, "Have you considered my servant Job? There is no one on earth like him; he is blameless and upright, a man who fears God and shuns evil."

I really debated putting more than one verse, but I just didn't want to. I thought there was so much to see in just this one verse that it deserved a whole post all by its little self.

Satan has been bragging, again, about how he has had such an impact on everyone on earth. The pride that satan has developed over how he can persuade and manipulate people to do what he wants them to do - which is, quite simply, anything contrary to what God wants. The idea of this is infuriating - not just because satan is so evil - but that what he claims is pretty accurate. We, as a people, are easily swayed.

Then God speaks.

Have you ever watched a romance movie where the man, who you thought - kind of - maybe - liked the girl in the lead role, lays his whole heart on the line and confesses how much he truly loves her in the end. Think Pride and Prejudice. She spends the whole movie somewhat giving and taking, never wanting to wholly open up to Mr. Darcy - but then finds out in the end how much he deeply loves her.

Not that God is anywhere close to Mr. Darcy, but some of us play the role of Elizabeth Bennett. Only giving what they think they're getting. Why oh why do we play these games.

When God speaks here, we can see the amazing amount of love He has for Job and all of us. He praises Job for his commitment and love of God. If we could hear God in heaven speaking about us, would we not hear the same praise? Job was not perfect, this book never says he was - he was a man trying to live a life blameless before God. As we all are. Struggle after struggle. Know that God cares for you, loves you, and praises your efforts when you strive to be like Christ.

Job - Unwelcome home.

Job 1:6-7 One day the angels came to present themselves before the LORD, and Satan also came with them. The LORD said to Satan, "Where have you come from?" Satan answered the LORD, "From roaming through the earth and going back and forth in it."

This was an interesting verse for me to read. I'll be honest - sometimes I read the Bible and 'nothing'. No insight, no understanding, zippo. Other times, I'll do a little research and things begin to get clearer and I can get a general idea on what God is really saying. This verse - even after all the research I did - came up differently to me than anything else I read. So - I can't say it's dipped in educational background or scholarly rhetoric - it's just from little ol' me. So here goes it.

Why is Satan walking in with the angels? I don't get that. Then it hit me - Satan, the master of disguise. . . maybe the angels don't realize who he is - is that possible? But notice that God doesn't rebuke the angels for hanging out with Satan - He speaks directly to Satan, himself. If this is true - if even the angels can be fooled by Satan, who are we to ever think we can come up against him without Jesus on our side. Who are we to ever think we can make it to get up out of bed without running into something Satan has cooked up for us and never even realize it. Thus the importance of morning quiet time - to get armed with Jesus before Satan ever has a chance to attack.

Satan answers God's question. He's not simply stating where he'd been, he's bragging. He's relishing the fact that he has been all through the earth and has inhabited the people there and had such an effect on them. We know that this is true of America today, but is it true in our own lives? If Satan had come to our door and toured our homes, would he be able to brag to God like he does here in verse 7? Would he be able to come in unknown, unrecognized and welcomed.

Oh God - we need You.

Esther - Satan's Enemy

Esther 5:9-14 Haman went out that day happy and in high spirits. But when he saw Mordecai at the king's gate and observed that he neither rose nor showed fear in his presence, he was filled with rage against Mordecai. Nevertheless, Haman restrained himself and went home. Calling together his friends and Zeresh, his wife, Haman boasted to them about his vast wealth, his many sons, and all the ways the king had honored him and how he had elevated him above the other nobles and officials. "And that's not all," Haman added. "I'm the only person Queen Esther invited to accompany the king to the banquet she gave. And she has invited me along with the king tomorrow. But all this gives me no satisfaction as long as I see that Jew Mordecai sitting at the king's gate." His wife Zeresh and all his friends said to him, "Have a gallows built, seventy-five feet high, and ask the king in the morning to have Mordecai hanged on it. Then go with the king to the dinner and be happy." This suggestion delighted Haman, and he had the gallows built.

Misery loves company. Isn't that how the old saying goes? These verses really speak that truth. Haman was at the top of the ladder, right under the king, had just had a banquet served by the queen and is heading home for the evening. Who does he run into? Good ol' Mordecai. Once again, Mordecai just sat there, didn't say anything to Haman and Haman got angry. He ran home to his wife and called all his buddies together.

Now, there are a couple of things to look at in the next two verses (11 and 12). First, we see Haman go on and on about how good he's got it. He's got money, position, sons and he was the only one invited to the banquet by the queen, and invited back - how charming he thought he must be. But, he admitted, none of it made him happy because Mordecai bothers him so much.

Are we the same way, we let one small thing that irritates us overshadow all the blessings that we've been given? We focus so much on that one thing that the only solution anyone can see is to wipe out the problem. Before we go on, I'd like to note the second thing. If we can read between the lines here at what must've happened at dinner that evening. Haman is so excited that he's been invited back - how must Esther have behaved? This young orphan girl, ripped from her family and home, obedient to go to the king and request the banquet and then to pretend during the evening that she was so impressed with Haman - this man who wanted her people slaughtered - she wanted him to come back the next night! I think she could've won an Oscar for that performance. The strength she must have had to build up, the patience and will power to keep her mouth shut - truly God was guiding her.
At the end of Chapter 5, we see the advice that Haman's friends and wife have for him. Build a gallows and kill Mordecai. Now remember, he already had everything in place to have him killed when they attacked the rest of the Jews, but this just wasn't fast enough. So he had the gallows built that very night! Now we've already discussed the importance of choosing your friends wisely, and this is not what Haman had done.

But looking at the big picture, Mordecai was only praying at this point. During the dinner Esther had with the king, during the building of the gallows and Haman's evil plan - Mordecai didn't know about any of this - he simply prayed. I don't think we know even half of what the devil has in store for us each day and how much of it gets thwarted because we choose to pray and ask God to guide our steps. When God's people pray, miracles happen. My husband shared this with me the other day: "When she rolls out of bed in the morning and her feet hit the floor, Satan says, 'Darn, she's awake!'" I want to be that woman - don't you?