Throughout the testimony of scripture and all history, the God of the Jews has proved His power to be infinitely greater than all others. God created the heavens and earth and all that is within them, yet men chose to worship as god the works of their own hands. God gave up people to their own delusions and lusts, yet at times graciously, powerfully, and miraculously revealed Himself so all the world might take note and believe.
After the Hebrews were enslaved in Egypt for centuries, God delivered His people with a mighty hand, through plagues and wonders which showed His superiority over all the idols they worshiped. Even 40 years later when the nation crossed the Jordan on dry ground and the spies were harboured in the home of Rehab, she proclaimed how they remembered well the miraculous power God did in delivering His people from Egypt. Another event was when God's people were in two minds, worshiping both God and the Ba'als under the leadership of Ahab and Jezebel. Elijah suggested they once and for all had a contest to see who was the true God, and God answering with fire from heaven and consuming the sacrifice proved His reality and worthiness of worship.
One of my favourite instances occurs in Daniel 3, when King Nebuchadnezzar built a massive golden image and commanded all the rulers in the realm to attend the grand dedication. There were musicians present and also a burning furnace - and it wasn't for the comfort of the attendees. All of the governors and rulers were commanded to bow before the image when the music played or they would be thrown into the furnace. All but three Jewish men grovelled before the image, and told the king to his face they would not bow down before the image under any circumstance: the God who they served could deliver them from a fiery furnace, but even if He didn't they would not bow. Talk about courage!
Infuriated by their candid refusal, Nebuchadnezzar commanded the furnace to be heated seven times hotter than usual and tasked his mightiest men to bind and throw those stubborn men into the furnace. What an opportunity to show his power before all the rulers, to put unspeakable terror in the hearts of his servants! Well, the real God turned the tables on this king of the Babylonian empire. His mighty men were killed by the violence of the flames, and Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-Nego fell down into the midst of the fire but started walking around loose! The flames had cut their bonds and there was a fourth man walking with them who was likened to the Son of God! On this grand stage, God had proved His power through salvation and deliverance, not torture or death. After the awestruck king commanded the men to come of the furnace Daniel 3:27 says, "And the satraps, administrators, governors, and the king's counselors gathered together, and they saw these men on whose bodies the fire had no power; the hair of their head was not singed nor were their garments affected, and the smell of fire was not on them." Nebuchadnezzar had gathered together all the rulers of his kingdom so his image would be worshiped, but provided front-row seats to display the power of God to deliver. God alone is worthy of worship.
Satan thought he won a great victory when he used Judas Iscariot as a tool to betray, condemn, and crucify Jesus Christ. Had Satan realised Jesus was going to defeat death and rise from the grave in glory, providing through His sacrifice salvation and forgiveness for all who repent and receive the Gospel, the devil never would have done it! As it is written in 1 Corinthians 2:6-8, "However, we speak wisdom among those who are mature, yet not the wisdom of this age, nor of the rulers of this age, who are coming to nothing. 7 But we speak the wisdom of God in a mystery, the hidden wisdom which God ordained before the ages for our glory, 8 which none of the rulers of this age knew; for had they known, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory." Isn't God amazing? He does not threaten man with hell to make us bow before Him, but Jesus humbled Himself as a perfect sacrifice to demonstrate God's love by dying in the place of sinners. Through His resurrection we see the power of God revealed, and assures us the eternal life He promises to whosoever will come to Him by faith He can deliver.
Nebuchadnezzar didn't love those rulers, but God loved him and them. Many times God graciously proved His power, and finally even the mighty Nebuchadnezzar was brought low. Daniel 4:34-35 reads, "And at the end of the time I, Nebuchadnezzar, lifted my eyes to heaven, and my understanding returned to me; and I blessed the Most High and praised and honored Him who lives forever: for His dominion is an everlasting dominion, and His kingdom is from generation to generation. 35 All the inhabitants of the earth are reputed as nothing; He does according to His will in the army of heaven and among the inhabitants of the earth. No one can restrain His hand or say to Him, "What have You done?" God is the greatest without question. Let us praise and worship Him now and forever, for wisdom, might, life, and love are His!
After the Hebrews were enslaved in Egypt for centuries, God delivered His people with a mighty hand, through plagues and wonders which showed His superiority over all the idols they worshiped. Even 40 years later when the nation crossed the Jordan on dry ground and the spies were harboured in the home of Rehab, she proclaimed how they remembered well the miraculous power God did in delivering His people from Egypt. Another event was when God's people were in two minds, worshiping both God and the Ba'als under the leadership of Ahab and Jezebel. Elijah suggested they once and for all had a contest to see who was the true God, and God answering with fire from heaven and consuming the sacrifice proved His reality and worthiness of worship.
One of my favourite instances occurs in Daniel 3, when King Nebuchadnezzar built a massive golden image and commanded all the rulers in the realm to attend the grand dedication. There were musicians present and also a burning furnace - and it wasn't for the comfort of the attendees. All of the governors and rulers were commanded to bow before the image when the music played or they would be thrown into the furnace. All but three Jewish men grovelled before the image, and told the king to his face they would not bow down before the image under any circumstance: the God who they served could deliver them from a fiery furnace, but even if He didn't they would not bow. Talk about courage!
Infuriated by their candid refusal, Nebuchadnezzar commanded the furnace to be heated seven times hotter than usual and tasked his mightiest men to bind and throw those stubborn men into the furnace. What an opportunity to show his power before all the rulers, to put unspeakable terror in the hearts of his servants! Well, the real God turned the tables on this king of the Babylonian empire. His mighty men were killed by the violence of the flames, and Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-Nego fell down into the midst of the fire but started walking around loose! The flames had cut their bonds and there was a fourth man walking with them who was likened to the Son of God! On this grand stage, God had proved His power through salvation and deliverance, not torture or death. After the awestruck king commanded the men to come of the furnace Daniel 3:27 says, "And the satraps, administrators, governors, and the king's counselors gathered together, and they saw these men on whose bodies the fire had no power; the hair of their head was not singed nor were their garments affected, and the smell of fire was not on them." Nebuchadnezzar had gathered together all the rulers of his kingdom so his image would be worshiped, but provided front-row seats to display the power of God to deliver. God alone is worthy of worship.
Satan thought he won a great victory when he used Judas Iscariot as a tool to betray, condemn, and crucify Jesus Christ. Had Satan realised Jesus was going to defeat death and rise from the grave in glory, providing through His sacrifice salvation and forgiveness for all who repent and receive the Gospel, the devil never would have done it! As it is written in 1 Corinthians 2:6-8, "However, we speak wisdom among those who are mature, yet not the wisdom of this age, nor of the rulers of this age, who are coming to nothing. 7 But we speak the wisdom of God in a mystery, the hidden wisdom which God ordained before the ages for our glory, 8 which none of the rulers of this age knew; for had they known, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory." Isn't God amazing? He does not threaten man with hell to make us bow before Him, but Jesus humbled Himself as a perfect sacrifice to demonstrate God's love by dying in the place of sinners. Through His resurrection we see the power of God revealed, and assures us the eternal life He promises to whosoever will come to Him by faith He can deliver.
Nebuchadnezzar didn't love those rulers, but God loved him and them. Many times God graciously proved His power, and finally even the mighty Nebuchadnezzar was brought low. Daniel 4:34-35 reads, "And at the end of the time I, Nebuchadnezzar, lifted my eyes to heaven, and my understanding returned to me; and I blessed the Most High and praised and honored Him who lives forever: for His dominion is an everlasting dominion, and His kingdom is from generation to generation. 35 All the inhabitants of the earth are reputed as nothing; He does according to His will in the army of heaven and among the inhabitants of the earth. No one can restrain His hand or say to Him, "What have You done?" God is the greatest without question. Let us praise and worship Him now and forever, for wisdom, might, life, and love are His!
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