Here are Monday’s morning prayers and Bible meditations. They are designed to be read in 5 to 10 minutes.
The theme for this week’s readings is that when we stand for God, he stands with us.
Opening Prayer: Heavenly King, Comforter, the Spirit of Truth,
present in all places and filling all things,
the treasury of blessings and Giver of life:
come and abide in me.
Lord’s Prayer: Our Father in heaven,
hallowed be your name,
Your kingdom come,
Your will be done,
on earth as it is in heaven.
Give us today our daily bread.
And forgive us our debts,
as we also have forgiven our debtors.
And lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from the evil one.
For yours is the kingdom, the power and the glory, forever and ever.
Amen
Text: ‘King Nebuchadnezzar made an image of gold, sixty cubits high and six cubits wide, and set it up on the plain of Dura in the province of Babylon. He then summoned the satraps, prefects, governors, advisers, treasurers, judges, magistrates and all the other provincial officials to come to the dedication of the image he had set up. So the satraps, prefects, governors, advisers, treasurers, judges, magistrates and all the other provincial officials assembled for the dedication of the image that King Nebuchadnezzar had set up, and they stood before it.
Then the herald loudly proclaimed, “Nations and peoples of every language, this is what you are commanded to do: As soon as you hear the sound of the horn, flute, zither, lyre, harp, pipe 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.”
Therefore, as soon as they heard the sound of the horn, flute, zither, lyre, harp and all kinds of music, all the nations and peoples of every language fell down and worshiped the image of gold that King Nebuchadnezzar had set up.
At this time some astrologers came forward and denounced the Jews. They said to King Nebuchadnezzar, “May the king live forever! Your Majesty has issued a decree that everyone who hears the sound of the horn, flute, zither, lyre, harp, pipe and all kinds of music must fall down and worship the image of gold, and that whoever does not fall down and worship will be thrown into a blazing furnace. But there are some Jews whom you have set over the affairs of the province of Babylon—Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego —who pay no attention to you, Your Majesty. They neither serve your gods nor worship the image of gold you have set up.”
Furious with rage, Nebuchadnezzar summoned Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego. So these men were brought before the king, and Nebuchadnezzar said to them, “Is it true, Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego, that you do not serve my gods or worship the image of gold I have set up? Now when you hear the sound of the horn, flute, zither, lyre, harp, pipe and all kinds of music, 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 3:1-15)
Explanation: Nebuchadnezzar reacts to Daniel’s interpretation of his dream in Daniel 2 by building a giant statue fitted out in gold. He tries to have everyone who holds an official position in his kingdom bow down to it as if they were worshipping it. Most commentators see this as the king asserting his power – it isn’t an idol as such but he is making them acknowledge that his rule, his power, his culture are superior to God’s and therefore that they will put him first.
Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego refuse to bow down to the image, rejecting the idea that Nebuchadnezzar’s rule, his culture, opinions or religion, are more important than following God. Predictably, Nebuchadnezzar is angry at the idea that they might ultimately serve God rather than him (although in every other way they are in fact carrying out their duties very well – Dan. 2:49).
The story is of enduring relevance because the governments, cultures and systems of this world will always eventually force us to choose whether they are supreme or God is.
Questions: Take a moment and give thanks for all that Jesus has done for you over the last day. Then ask: 1. When have you had to choose whether to follow what God says or the culture and the values of the world around you? What did you do? 2. Where might you be being challenged in this way today? 3. What might this mean for your life?
Prayer: Father thank you for Jesus. Thank you that his rule is supreme over every human government, culture and society. Thank you that you have revealed the way you intend for us to live through Jesus. Help me to follow him even when everyone else is not. Amen
Prayer for the Day: Lord, grant me to greet the coming day in peace.
Help me in all things to rely upon Your holy will.
In every hour of the day reveal Your will to me.
Bless my dealings with all who surround me.
Teach me to treat all that come to me throughout the day with peace of soul and with firm conviction that Your will governs all.
In all my deeds and words guide my thoughts and feelings.
In unforeseen events let me not forget that all things are under Your care.
Teach me to act firmly and wisely, without embittering and embarrassing others.
Give me strength to bear the fatigue of the coming day with all that it shall bring.
Direct my will, teach me to pray, pray Yourself in me. Amen.
Living God 