GOD RESCUES Posted 10.28.08
A majority of the top twenty-five movies in American history to date (based on dollars at the box office) share one common element. Do you know what it is? They all involve some type of superhero. From Batman to Spiderman to Star Wars to Iron Man, each one develops a story around someone who is fairly normal (except maybe Luke Skywalker), but due to various circumstances becomes a powerful force for good in the world.
Why do you think our world is so drawn to stories about these superhuman people? Personally, I believe it has everything to do with a universal love for the rescue. We are wholly enamored with the concept of someone saving the day.
While these movies are enjoyable, it would do our population good to return to the original script for these stories. A true script that cannot only entertain for two hours but change lives as well. No one loves to save the day more than Jesus, which is why I believe today’s verb is one of His favorites.
God rescues.
By definition rescue means removal from danger or harm; provision of help. Its synonyms include: save, free, set free, liberate, release, and salvage. Does God really do this? Oh yes. In the Bible - and in our lives as well.
Throughout Scripture God has recorded multiple instances of His intervention in this way including the rescue of the Israelites from Egypt, from the Philistines, and from many other enemies. He rescued Peter from prison, Paul from murderers, and the adulterous woman from self-righteous Pharisees. He used people, donkeys, angels, and all manner of unexpected circumstances, but none is more powerful than the death and resurrection of His Son, Jesus, to rescue us all from the power and penalty of sin.
Unfortunately, many of God’s children think once they are rescued from their sin, the battle ends. My friends, our salvation is only the beginning of an adventure beyond our imagination, and we must never hesitate to call on the Lord. We will most certainly need to! Often daily! We may not require dramatic intervention as in the story we will review today, but we always, always, always, need Him.
In Daniel 3 we will see how God rescues His children according to seven basic principles.
Principle #1: God rescues because there is a need.
Various intruders create the need for God’s rescue.
DA 3:1King Nebuchadnezzar made an image of gold, ninety feet high and nine feet wide, and set it up on the plain of Dura in the province of Babylon. 2He 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. 3So 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.
DA 3:4Then the herald loudly proclaimed, "This is what you are commanded to do, O peoples, nations and men of every language: 5As soon as you hear the sound of the horn, flute, zither, lyre, harp, pipes and all kinds of music, you must fall down and worship the image of gold that King Nebuchadnezzar has set up. 6Whoever does not fall down and worship will immediately be thrown into a blazing furnace."
DA 3:7Therefore, as soon as they heard the sound of the horn, flute, zither, lyre, harp and all kinds of music, all the peoples, nations and men of every language fell down and worshiped the image of gold that King Nebuchadnezzar had set up.
While our needs may not be as dramatic as the scenario we just read, any threat to our well-being appears on God’s radar. Whether it’s emotional, mental, physical, or spiritual, if we need help, God promises to be there.
Additional troublemakers solidify the need for God’s rescue.
DA 3:8At this time some astrologers came forward and denounced the Jews. 9They said to King Nebuchadnezzar, "O king, live forever! 10You have issued a decree, O king, that everyone who hears the sound of the horn, flute, zither, lyre, harp, pipes and all kinds of music must fall down and worship the image of gold, 11and that whoever does not fall down and worship will be thrown into a blazing furnace. 12But 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, O king. They neither serve your gods nor worship the image of gold you have set up."
Sometimes the situation escalates quickly enough that any hesitation is removed.
It doesn’t take jealous leaders or stone statues for us to need God’s rescue. How about a volatile marriage, rebellious child, or battle with sin?
God wants to rescue you. What is your need today?
Principle #2: God rescues when the world is sure that He can’t.
Many doubt or even challenge God’s ability to rescue.
DA 3:13 Furious with rage, Nebuchadnezzar summoned Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego. So these men were brought before the king, 14and 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? 15Now when you hear the sound of the horn, flute, zither, lyre, harp, pipes 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?"
I fear many Christians miss the power of God because they spend too much time listening to the world’s spirit-less arguments against the authority of the Almighty. We must be sure in our hearts that He is all He proposes to be in our lives and not waver.
Principle #3: God rescues as His children trust Him no matter the outcome.
The turning point is to trust in God’s Rescue without regard to circumstances.
DA 3:16 Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego replied to the king, "O Nebuchadnezzar, we do not need to defend ourselves before you in this matter. 17If we are thrown into the blazing furnace, the God we serve is able to save us from it, and he will rescue us from your hand, O king. 18But even if he does not, we want you to know, O king, that we will not serve your gods or worship the image of gold you have set up."
We cannot merely trust a rescue that we design. Faith believes in His rescue beyond the material world, beyond what we can see, feel, and touch, beyond every voice that says there is no hope at all. Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego believed this truth. Do you?
Principle #4: God rescues in His Time and His Way.
Before God’s rescue, life often goes from bad to worse.
DA 3:19Then Nebuchadnezzar was furious with Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego, and his attitude toward them changed. He ordered the furnace heated seven times hotter than usual 20and commanded some of the strongest soldiers in his army to tie up Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego and throw them into the blazing furnace. 21So these men, wearing their robes, trousers, turbans and other clothes, were bound and thrown into the blazing furnace. 22The king's command was so urgent and the furnace so hot that the flames of the fire killed the soldiers who took up Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego, 23and these three men, firmly tied, fell into the blazing furnace.
How many of us would write the script with the superhero bursting through the door just before the three men were thrown into the fire? Just because God doesn’t move the way we expect doesn’t mean He is not rescuing. Just keep looking for Him.
Principle #5: God rescues with His Presence.
There is no more important principle within the rescue process. His Presence is the key to it all.
DA 3:24 Then King Nebuchadnezzar leaped to his feet in amazement and asked his advisers, "Weren't there three men that we tied up and threw into the fire?" They replied, "Certainly, O king."
DA 3:25 He said, "Look! I see four men walking around in the fire, unbound and unharmed, and the fourth looks like a son of the gods."
All we need is an awareness of His Presence and everything changes. The fire didn’t go away, but it could not burn them. If we can tap in to God’s presence in the midst of any circumstance, we have effectively been rescued, whether the problem is “solved” or not. Consider the martyr Stephen. He still died, but he saw Jesus as he was dying and bore only forgiveness in his heart and on his lips. He was free. Jesus really is enough. In what area do you need to experience His presence in a fresh way? Look for Him there. He has promised to never leave us nor forsake us.
Principle #6: God rescues in a way that impacts many.
DA 3:26Nebuchadnezzar then approached the opening of the blazing furnace and shouted, "Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego, servants of the Most High God, come out! Come here!" So Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego came out of the fire, 27and the satraps, prefects, governors and royal advisers crowded around them. They saw that the fire had not harmed their bodies, nor was a hair of their heads singed; their robes were not scorched, and there was no smell of fire on them.
When God rescues, He often does so with much flare! What a testimony these men had! Notice how the King didn’t demand the fourth man to come out of the fire? He knew the limits of his authority!
Notice how everyone suddenly wanted to understand the situation? Sometimes our rescue enables others to recognize their own needs or at the very least their shortcomings.
Principle #7: God rescues in order to bring others to Himself.
DA 3:28Then Nebuchadnezzar said, "Praise be to the God of Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego, who has sent his angel and rescued his servants! They trusted in him and defied the king's command and were willing to give up their lives rather than serve or worship any god except their own God. 29Therefore I decree that the people of any nation or language who say anything against the God of Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego be cut into pieces and their houses be turned into piles of rubble, for no other god can save in this way."
DA 3:30Then the king promoted Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego in the province of Babylon.
God gave these men an amazing new circle of influence, but the goal is always God’s glory not our own. This rescue is just one piece in the puzzle of Nebuchadnezzar’s salvation story, and probably in that of many others too.
In what way has God rescued you beyond salvation?
How have you responded?
How can you use the experience for His glory?
In what way do you need to be rescued today?
GOD RESCUES
Read the following chapters. Which of the seven basic principles did you notice in each of them? What additional principles did you observe about God’s ability to rescue and people’s responses?
Acts 12
2 Samuel 3
2 Chronicles 32
2 Peter 2
Daniel 6
Luke 1
Acts 7
Ezekiel 34