Month: August 2014

King Belshazzar held a great feast for 1,000 of his nobles and drank wine in their presence. Under the influence of the wine, Belshazzar gave orders to bring the gold and silver vessels that his predecessor Nebuchadnezzar had taken from the temple in Jerusalem, so that the king and his nobles, wives, and concubines could drink from them. Daniel 5:1-2 HCSB

Every day the police stop cars whose drivers are going too fast or breaking the law in some way. In some cases the car is stopped because the driver seems to be under the influence of some type of alcoholic beverage. The driver is usually weaving and trying to keep the car on the road between the lines and may be given a citation and charged with DUI (Driving Under the Influence). When someone is under the influence of alcohol, he usually says and does things that are not typical. The alcohol causes the person to use poor judgment. Too many times people are killed by a drunk driver.

King Belshazzar was under the influence of alcohol. He used poor judgment when he asked for the gold and silver vessels from the temple in Jerusalem to be brought so they could drink from them. These were holy vessels and were intended to used by the priests in the worship of the one true God. Not only were the vessels being used in a unholy way, but they were being used as a part of a drunken orgy that was being performed as an act of praise and worship to pagan gods.

Challenge: Avoid using poor judgment and making poor decisions caused by the destructive influence of alcohol. Rather, be controlled by the influence of the Holy Spirit that lives within all believers.

Nebuchadnezzar exclaimed, “Praise to the God of Shadrach, Meshack, and Abednego! He sent His angel and rescued His servants who trusted in Him. They violated the kings command and risked their lives rather than serve or worship any god except their own God.” Daniel 3:28 HCSB

We live in a world and a culture where it seems that Christians continue to give into the pressures and demands of the majority. Some people do not want to be viewed as a “Jesus freak” or some “religious nut,” so they compromise and accept values that are directly opposed to what God’s Word says. Our culture has said that abortion and homosexuality are acceptable. Sadly, more and more Christians are embracing these standards that are not Scripturally founded. The world says that there are many ways to God and that we should accept all different religions,but Jesus proclaimed, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.” John 14:6

Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego were willing to risk their lives to follow God’s commands. They trusted in God to take care of them, even if they died in the fiery furnace. There are Christians around the world who are suffering and being persecuted daily as a result of their beliefs and faith in Jesus Christ. Some have even been killed. We too, should be willing to take a stand for what God’s Word says and not compromise our beliefs, even if it means that we will suffer in some way as a result.

Challenge: Pray for strength as you take a stand against the values of a secular world. Do not compromise your beliefs, but instead be willing to take some ridicule and criticism for your convictions. Go to www.persecution.com (http://www.persecution.com/) to learn more about Christians who are facing persecution around the world.