IDOLBUSTING!

Scripture to Read: Daniel 3

"Then the herald loudly proclaimed, "This is what you are commanded
to do, O peoples, nations and men of every language: As soon as
you hear the sound of the horn, flute, zither, lyre, harp, pipes
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

Who are you are worshiping in your life? What idols do you have that
you worship daily?

Another way of asking this might be; What will be foremost on your
mind as you go to church this weekend? What will you be thinking of
as you fall asleep tonight? The enemy is always trying to put idols
in our lives without us realizing it. Today as you go and worship
your Lord, may you examine your heart and put your Lord first in your
life.

"Jesus replied: "'Love the Lord your God with all your heart and
with all your soul and with all your mind.' This is the first
and greatest commandment." Matthew 22:37-38

King Nebuchadnezzar made an image of gold, 90 feet high. He made a
decree that everyone must fall down and worship his image of gold.
Whoever did not obey would be immediately thrown into a blazing
furnace.

The King was told that the three Jewish men who were part of his high
officials would not serve or worship the image of gold. He called
the three men and questioned them. He asked them if they would bow
down and worship the image? He also asked them:

"If you are ready to fall down and worship the image I made, very
good. But if you do not worship it, you will be thrown immediately
into a blazing furnace. Then what god will be able to rescue you
from my hand?" Daniel 3:15

Do you trust in your Lord God to protect and rescue you regardless of
your circumstances? What faith these men showed their peers! Will
you trust your Lord completely for your life and your marriage? Do
you have that kind of faith for your Lord regarding your life?

"Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego replied to the king, "O Nebuchad-
nezzar, we do not need to defend ourselves before you in this
matter. If we are thrown into the blazing furnace, the God we serve
is able to save us from it, 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 you have set
up." Daniel 3:16-18

What are you putting before your Lord God? It is your career, your
spouse, your children, money, a hobby or schooling? What is your
reason for not spending time with your Lord daily?

There are men and women who allow standing for marriage restoration
to become an idol. They have the cart before the horse. Standing
must be the outcome of your close walk with Christ. Some people
focus all their time and efforts, not on being a better Christian,
but on being a better stander. Being a better Christian will always
make you a better stander, but standing in itself will not make you a
Christian. That happens only when you discover a relationship with
Jesus Christ.

We know of people who attempt to stand. They pick up the buzz words
of the Christian faith, without discovering a personal relationship
with Jesus Christ. Their email and their talk might be filled with
pious phrases, but when the first big wind of opposition howls, not
being rooted and grounded in Jesus Christ, they are blown into
divorce recovery, and into the arms of someone else.

Since they never had a personal relationship with the Living Lord,
they never allowed Him to deal with the unforgiveness, the
bitterness, and the anger. It is not a matter of these things
returning when they gave up on a prodigal spouse. They were there
all the time, seething just under the surface.


We all know the next part of the story in Daniel, Chapter 3. King
Nebuchadnezzar ordered the furnace to be heated seven times hotter
than usual. After the three men were thrown into the furnace, the
King looked and saw four men in the furnace.

"Look, I see four men walking around in the fire, unbound and
unharmed, and the fourth looks like a son of the gods." Daniel 3:25

The King commanded the men to come out of the fire.

"Then Nebuchadnezzar said, "Praise be to the God of Shadrach,
Meshach and Abednego, who has sent his angel and rescued his
servants! They trusted in him and defied the king's command and
were willing to give up their lives rather than serve or worship
any god except their own God." Daniel 3:28

What a victory for Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego! Nebuchadnezzar
saw the power of their Lord God. Do you believe that your God is
able to save you from the blazing fire of circumstances that you are
in? Whether your circumstance is separation, a divorce, a non-
covenant relationship or a baby being born, God is able to save you
and your family from the fire that is attempting to destroy you. May
your family and friends see your Lord providing and protecting you
from your enemy in a supernatural way.

Trust God. Believe in Him. Do not yield yourself to the standards of
the world. God's standards are higher. You will be blessed mightily
in the future. Wait on the Lord to show you, He is able! Let Him
show you, your family and friends His mighty power.

"You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to
accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives."
Genesis 50:20

Our friend, it is worth doing it God's way! Don't give up on your God,
or on His ability to touch your prodigal spouse. This weekend pray
for all spouses, both prodigals and standers, to bow down, repenting
to their Lord God.

Have a blessed Sunday,

Bob and Charlyne Steinkamp
Rejoice Marriage Ministries, Inc.®