Resolve
Resolve
Most of us make some sort of resolution as we come into a New Year. We plan to lose weight, exercise, eat right, act differently, etc.
What is your resolve for 2008? Who? When? Where? How? Why?
Resolve: decide; bring to an end; settle conclusively; make clearly visible; firmness of purpose.
Story of the Three Hebrew Childen
overtaken in battle by the Babylonians
made to serve in the king’s court
Neb’s dream, unspoken and almost condemning all the leaders in the kingdom, interpreted by Daniel. Daniel tells the king in 2:27 that no man can do as he requested, but God in Heaven alone.
idol created, close in description to dream interpreted; Hebrew children’s refusal to bow
side note: why is it that the tattletale was not scolded for not complete worship?
Then Neb says this…
Daniel 3:15b Then what god will be able to rescue you from my hand?"
And here’s the Hebrew’s reply
Daniel 3:16-19 Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego replied to the king, "O Nebuchadnezzar, we do not need to defend ourselves before you in this matter. 17 If 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. 18 But 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."
Neb was not happy and ordered the furnace heated up 7 times hotter than normal, that the Hebrews be tied by the strongest of the soldiers, and thrown into the furnace. Once in, the king noticed that there were 4 in the fire, and the forth looked as the Son of God. He called to the three to come out, and there was no sign of the fire in their hair, cloths, skin, or even a scent. The only thing that was a sign of them being thrown in was that the ropes had been removed from them.
Daniel 3:28-30 Then 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. Therefore 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." Then the king promoted Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego in the province of Babylon.
From the beginning of their time with Nebuchadnezzar, an identity change was attempted. Names, food and drink, dwellings, and jobs.
Dan'iel. (judgment of God)
Belteshaz'zar. (favored by Bel)..Baal
Hanani'ah. (gift of God).
Sha'drach. (royal, or the great scribe)
Mish'ael. (who is what God is?).
Me'shach. (guest of a king)
Azari'ah. (whom the Lord helps).
Abed'nego. ( that is, servant of Nego)
The saving them from sinful compliance, was as great a miracle in the kingdom of grace, as the saving them out of the fiery furnace was in the kingdom of nature.
We are to be meek in our replies, but we must be decided that we will obey God rather than man.
Both sides were resolved in their decision
God will deliver us, either from death or in death.
Romans 8:31 What shall we then say to these things? If God be for us, who can be against us?
What you have to understand is that, though the fire comes against you in the physical, the Holy Spirit is the true fire. It burns within us greater than anything that we could ever face. The Holy Ghost keeps us fresh and alert for anything the enemy can try to bring against us.
Hebrews 12:29 For our God is a consuming fire.
But the beauty of our God is that He can chose not to completely consume us. Remember the burning bush
What he will do for us, whether it be in the physical or spiritually, is release us from the capture’s snares and bondage. He will deliver us from the Devil’s ropes, consuming them to his own glory and praise.
Joshua 24:15 choose you this day whom ye will serve; whether the gods which your fathers served that were on the other side of the flood, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land ye dwell: but as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD.
(D) As I travel through this pilgrim land
There is a (G) friend, who walks with (D) me
Leads me safely through the sinking sand
It is the (E) Christ of (E7) Calva-(A7)-ry
(D)This would be my prayer dear Lord each day
To help me (G) do the best I (D) can
For I (G) need the light to (D) guide me day and night
Blessed Jesus (A7) hold my (D) hand
Chorus:
(D) Jesus, hold my hand
I (G) need, thee every (D) hour
Through, this pilgrim land
Pro-(E)-tect me (E7) by Thy (A7) power
(D) Hear my feeble plea
O-(G)-Lord, look down on (D) me
When I (G) kneel in prayer I (D) hope to meet you there
Blessed Jesus (A7) hold my (D) hand
(D) Let me travel in the light divine
That I may (G) see, the blessed (D) way
Keep me that I may be wholly Thine
And sing re-(E)-demption's (E7) song some (A7) day
(D) I will be a soldier brave and true
And ever (G) firmly take a (D) stand
As I (G) onward go and (D) daily meet the foe
Blessed Jesus (A7) hold my (D) hand
G C D C
LORD I LIFT YOUR NAME ON HIGH
G C D C
LORD I LOVE TO SING YOUR PRAISES
G C D C
I’M SO GLAD YOU’RE IN MY LIFE
G C D
I’M SO GLAD YOU CAME TO SAVE US
G C D
YOU CAME FROM HEAVEN TO EARTH
C G
TO SHOW THE WAY
C D
FROM THE EARTH TO THE CROSS
C D
MY DEBT TO PAY
C D
FROM THE CROSS TO THE GRAVE
Em Am
FROM THE GRAVE TO THE SKY
C D G
LORD I LIFT YOUR NAME ON HIGH
Em
Take me past the outer courts
C
And through the Holy Place
D
Past the brazen altar
Em D
Lord I want to see your face
Em
Pass me by the crowds of people
C
The priests who sing their praise
D
I hunger and thirst for Your righteousness
Am7 D
And it's only found one place
G D
So take me in to the Holy of Holies
Am7 Em D
Take me in by the blood of the Lamb
G D
So take me in to the Holy of Holies
Am7 D Em
Take the coal, cleanse my lips, here I am
Em C
MORE LOVE, MORE POWER
D Em
MORE OF YOU IN MY LIFE (2X)
Am
AND I WILL WORSHIP YOU
D Em
WITH ALL OF MY HEART
Am
AND I WILL WORSHIP YOU
D Em
WITH ALL OF MY MIND
Am
AND I WILL WORSHIP YOU
D Em
WITH ALL OF MY STRENGTH
C D
FOR YOU ARE MY LORD
Em
YOU ARE MY LORD