SCRIPTURE:
"Then the herald loudly proclaimed, “Nations and peoples of every language, this is what you are commanded to do: As soon as you hear the sound of the horn, flute, zither, lyre, harp, pipe and all kinds of music, you must fall down and worship the image of gold that King Nebuchadnezzar has set up. Whoever does not fall down and worship will immediately be thrown into a blazing furnace.”"
Daniel 3:4-6
OBSERVATION:
How quickly the thoughts of Nebuchadnezzar flipped. It was just a moment ago that Daniel upped all the sorcerers, magicians and mystics by interpreting the Kings dream causing Nebuchadnezzar to claim Daniel’s God as God of gods and Lord of lords. After making this true and bold proclamation he then does a 180 and builds a gold idol demanding that the people worship it.
How many times have I done the exact same thing. Witnessed a powerful work of God only to negate what He’s done by doing something where His place as Holy and above all things is replaced by my wild thoughts and desires. Times where I lose my” amazability” and replace it with fear, anxiousness, pride, you name it.
A wise man reminded me to “remain amaze-able”, to make sure that I’m seeing the potential in things not just the problems. In those moments that I see only problems are the moments where I take over and bring the volume down on the Holy Spirit’s voice, put Jesus back in the grave and place my power above the King of kings and Lord of lords. So stupid.
APPLICATION:
So how do I avoid it?
- As the boss says, “stay amaze-able”. Never lose the awe that hit me the first time God used a song to penetrate my heart, used a message to cause me to lean in the voice of the Holy Spirit, used a person to show me a tangible example of grace. If I stay amazed at my God then nothing will take His place as King of my life.
- Never Be the Same Again. The saying is “learn from my mistakes”, but the reality is that I need to “transform from my mistakes.” Those times I put me before He need to become launching points for the transformation of my mind and heart. Nebuchadnezzar witnessed first hand how God used a captive to meet his request, resulting in him claiming Daniel’s God above all others. Yet, in the same breath commands the building of an image to be worshipped as Lord. In order to truly transform I need to fully submit to the authority of the God appointed moments, the miracles, and never forget less I become a Nebuchadnezzar, and emotional believer who only gives authority to God when He shows His power.
- Stay the course. When my perspective stays amaze-able and my mind and heart our moldable on the the Potter’s wheel, it doesn’t mean that storms and challenges won’t arise. I need to remember to stay the course even when those obstacles come, and they will. My perspective needs to remain not just positive, but reliant on Him. Staying the course of constant surrender and unwavering hope will ensure that God remains God of my life.
PRAYER:
Jesus, may these applications, be made into steadfast commitments. Not just words to fill a devotional, but foundations to build my devotion. Thank you for patience and grace for the times I lose my amazement. I choose to see promise not problems, opportunity not obstacles.
