Power in the hands of the ungodly mortal intoxicates like strong wine, blinding the holder. To put your trust in them or in the good you have done towards them is foolishness. Such men are intemperate and intolerant, living upon ego worship and must always have their way (Daniel 2:12-13, Daniel 3:13, 19), demanding the death of their opposers. How else do you explain Nebuchadnezzar’s anger when the three Hebrew children refused to bow to the image of the beast based on their allegiance to the God whose power they had openly demonstrated in the interpretation of his dream? 

Had he so quickly forgotten the God who revealed a frightening dream concerning the future and his own temporary tenure? or 

Was this just a spontaneous reaction in defense of his ego before his spies of envious accusers? 

Nebuchadnezzar put a wager he could never win, testing the will of the three Hebrew children and the ability of this mighty God to reveal Himself again as Saviour and deliverer. The three Hebrew children loved the Lord, even unto death. They had seen God in action in Isaiah 54:15, in the deliverances recorded in Judah.

Dearly beloved, beware of the Nebuchadnezzar spirit! Are you easily irritated and provoked? How much of God have you imbibed to have the confidence of ‘if I perish I perish’? Learn from the composure of these three in the face of deadly aggression and their preparedness for the consequence of their godly disobedience to earthly power.

Let me end with Randy Kilgore’s words here ‘When life’s “flames” test us, may those who observe our choices recognize our love for God and for one another’. Shalom.