God definitely interacts with the faithful and the bold. I wonder if the bold choose to be bold in big moments or if they are bold because they are faithful.
I’ll set the context. I am reading through the Old Testament book of Daniel currently. In chapter 3, you remember that three buddies were minding their own business when they were accosted by some Chaldeans who accused them before the King of disobeying his orders. The King had ordered everyone to worship a golden image. These young men were threatened with certain death for ignoring the command.
The moment was not too big for them. They feared Yahweh. Dependence upon the Lord was woven into the fabric of their lives. Before the golden statue was manufactured, they had worshiped Yahweh. After the statue was erected, they lived their lives under the provision and protection of the Lord. Throughout the commands of the King, they continued in the same vein.
When they were brought before the King, it does not appear that there was any knee-knocking. They indicated their trust in a higher power than the King. They brushed him off (politely) by saying that they did not really need to answer him. Nothing he said would change their mind. Their heart was centered on honoring the Lord with their lives whether they were administrating the province of Babylon, gathering with friends, or engaging in daily routines.
With great pomp and circumstance, King Nebuchadnezzar gave them one last chance to choose him over Yahweh. His challenge? Bow down when the horn goes off or be thrown into a fiery furnace! Certain death awaited them.
Their response was as casual as if they were informing their friends which players they picked in fantasy football. Casual but firm. In their own way, they related to the King that their God outranked him. If the God they worship chose to save them, He could. Whether He would or not was up to Him. Whichever way that decision went, they would trust the Lord.
Was this a bold moment? Was it because they got together beforehand and said, “Let’s be bold! Let’s be courageous! Let’s stand up to the King!”? I think not. I think they simply continued trusting the Lord as they did each day. They had chosen their trajectory of dependence upon Yahweh and sought to live it out moment-by-moment. Their final statement came out bold.
Daniel 3:18
They were bold because they were faithful. May we be bold in life’s daily decisions because we are faithful. Express your trust to the Lord in a personal way today. Express your trust as you bring these prayer requests to the Lord. When we are faithful, we are bold, and we trust Jesus with the outcome. May you experience His all-sufficient grace today.
Love and blessings,
Dave