JUNE 6: HOLY DEFIANCE

Power, absolute power corrupts and blinds the spirit to recognize the sovereignty of God. King Nebuchadnezzar set up a colossal golden image, to which all people in his domain were summoned to bow to and worship at a given musical signal. Any trace of disobedience by anyone was at risk of being cast into a fiery burning furnace.

It was at this period, that three Hebrew young lads were in the service of the king. Meshach, Shadrach and Abednego being in captivity in Babylon, brought up under the Levitical laws that prohibit the honoring and worshipping of any other gods apart from Yahweh could not conform to the proclamation. Their refusal to conform was reported to the king. He summoned them and emphasized to them the consequences of their disobedience.

The three persisted in their refusal to worship the golden image. Eventually, they were thrown into the fiery burning furnace. “And do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul; rather fear him who can destroy both soul and body in hell.” (Matthew 10:28) God was glorified. For the redeemed, death has power over the body, but not the soul. This is our victory over death; the God we serve is the only one who can destroy both soul and body.

Is anyone under the threat of the devil or his agents? You have nothing to fear as long as you hold on to your faith in Christ. Martin Luther says in his hymn,

“The body they may kill
God’s truth abided still
his kingdom forever.”

This is their victory over death. Death is not the end of life; there is life after death, either with Christ in heaven or with Satan in hell. What is your preference? Seek life in Jesus Christ.

PRAYER: My Father and my Lord, my prayer and wish is to reign with you in heaven after my life here on earth. Grant me the grace to hold on to you until the end, irrespective of the circumstances in Jesus’ name. Amen.