God Goes With You
The chief of staff renamed them with these Babylonian names: Daniel was called Belteshazzar. Hananiah was called Shadrach. Mishael was called Meshach. Azariah was called Abednego. (Daniel 1:7)
Nebuchadnezzar could change their names, but he couldn’t change their hearts. Daniel, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego had a God to serve and a stand to make.
The powerful king had made the call for some of Israel’s finest young men. He wanted the brightest and the best. He wanted to indoctrinate and brainwash them in the ways of Babylon. And he wanted them to abandon the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob and worship the gods of Babylon instead.
Ancient Babylon was a wonder to behold, filled with jaw-dropping opulence. Yet there was no reverence for the Lord in that place. Everyone cowered in fear in the presence of King Nebuchadnezzar.
It is believed by many commentators that Daniel, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego were somewhere between the ages of 14 and 19. They were good Jewish boys who had been raised by their parents in the way of the Lord. But their world, as they knew it, changed overnight. Torn away from their families, they were placed in an alien culture of paganism and unparalleled luxury. Up to that point, they would have lived in simple conditions. But they suddenly found themselves in the palace of the most powerful man on earth.
Maybe your world has changed recently. Maybe you were going a certain direction and have unexpectedly found yourself on a different path. Maybe you recently headed to college, and it is an entirely new world for you—and not exactly a world that is supportive of your Christian values. Maybe your business has sent you to a different city, or maybe you are stationed overseas. Here is what you need to know: Wherever you go, God goes with you. He doesn’t live in one place; He is present with all His children. And He hasn’t forgotten about you.
Copyright © 2017 by Harvest Ministries. All rights reserved.
Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2007, 2013, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
For more relevant and biblical teaching from Pastor Greg Laurie, go to www.harvest.org
and
Listen to Greg Laurie's daily broadcast on OnePlace.com.
Watch Greg Laurie's weekly television broadcast on LightSource.com.
SPECIAL OFFER
Ben-Hur DVD and Bible study
A classic story of betrayal, transformation, and forgiveness, Ben-Hur is a film that portrays how one man’s encounter with the Christ changes everything. You too can encounter Jesus Christ in a fresh new way and deepen your Christian walk, with the companion Bible study from Greg Laurie. Get the new Ben-Hur film on DVD and Bible study components by making a gift to Harvest Ministries today.
You can receive a copy as a thank-you gift for donating to Harvest Ministries today.
