A lot has changed since I was a kid growing up in New Jersey…

• We didn’t have cable TV. Instead, we had a box that sat on the floor next to the television which we used to control the antenna on the roof. We could point it at Philadelphia or New York City and get channels from either city. All together, we got about a dozen channels.
• We didn’t own a microwave oven. I don’t think anyone did.
• If we wanted to watch a movie, we either went to a theater or waited for one to be shown on TV. VCR’s hadn’t even been invented.
• We made phone calls from a phone that hung on the wall in the kitchen. I had no idea what the * and # keys were for.
• If we wanted to play video games, we went to an arcade at the boardwalk and spent a quarter.
• To write a paper for school, I used the Collier’s encyclopedias we had. No one would say “Google” for another two decades.

Yes, a lot has changed. And a lot has changed since the Bible was written. But there’s even more that hasn’t changed. The big stuff. The important stuff.

God hasn’t changed.

His commands haven’t changed.

His ways haven’t changed.

His purposes haven’t changed.

So if we want to know how to really live life, we need to go back to what God has revealed in His word. Today and tomorrow, we’ll look at a few guys who lived 2600 years ago and the life lessons they can teach us.

First read Daniel 3.

Life Lesson #1: God hates pride and idol worship.

King Nebuchadnezzar learns this the hard way. The really hard way, which we’ll see more tomorrow.

In chapter 3, we see him setting up a 9-foot wide, 90-foot tall idol of gold. Think “9-story building.” This thing was huge.

He then gives the order that whenever the music plays, everyone is to fall down and worship the gold image. “Whoever does not fall down and worship will immediately be thrown into a blazing furnace.”

It’s easy to think that pride isn’t so bad and idol worship only applies to people who worshiped things made from gold, stone or wood. But the essence of pride is living life on my own terms and idol worship is anything we worship that isn’t God.

Don’t think of worship as just bowing down or singing praises. Idol worship comes in many forms.

What do you give the bulk of your attention to? Television? The internet? A relationship? Pornography? A hobby? Sports? Your looks? Your job? Your phone?

See if this might help to identify any idols in your life. How would you complete the following sentence? “I don’t think I could live without __________________.”

Whatever you put in the blank may be an idol for you.

And pride may be an issue if you ever finding yourself thinking, “I know God says ___________, but I __________.”

The key word there is “but.” Remember, the essence of pride is living life on your own terms. It’s going your own way. In a sense, it’s acting like the god of your own life. Knowing what God requires, but doing what you want anyway is pride.

God isn’t interested in sharing his authority with us or our attention with idols. He wants us to submit to Him and walk away from our idols.

Life Lesson #2: The world is under the control of the evil one.

Have you noticed that it’s okay to believe just about whatever you want these days? Tolerance for other views and religions has somehow become the highest virtue. Is there anything worse today than being labeled as judgmental or narrow-minded?

And yet if you’re a Jew or a Christian, there’s very little tolerance for you. Think back through history–does the hatred we see for the Jews seem rational to you? Why was Hitler so intent on wiping them out? And today, there are any number of countries that would love to see the nation of Israel eliminated.

That’s nothing new.

After King Nebuchadnezzar builds the idol and commands people to bow down to it, it says, “At this time some astrologers came forward and denounced the Jews.”

1 John 5:19 says, “We know that we are children of God, and that the whole world is under the control of the evil one.”

This world system is under the control of Satan. That means that from the time you wake up in the morning until the time you go to bed at night, almost nothing will encourage you in your relationship with Christ. In fact, you will face a multitude of lies, deceptions, temptations and discouragements. They may come from media, government, advertising, teachers, friends and even family.

This does not mean there are not Christ-followers in politics, business or teaching. There are many godly men and women serving Christ in those arenas. Just understand that this world system is enemy territory. So don’t be surprised. Be prepared for it. This world system, under the control of the evil one, is intent on discouraging, destroying and yes, even killing Jews and Christians.

If you have any doubt, just watch the news.

Life Lesson #3: Just because God is able to do something, it doesn’t mean He will.

Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego are threatened with death if they don’t worship the idol, but here’s what they said to the king:

“O Nebuchadnezzar, we do not need to defend ourselves before you in this matter. 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. 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.”

These three young men had confidence that God could save them, but knew He might not. Being saved from death was not their primary concern. Honoring God was–even to the point of losing their lives.

Sometimes we face painful circumstances and believe God will save us from them because He is able. I’ve made this mistake many, many times and it has led to a lot of anger and discouragement.

If saving us from a painful trial is best for us and will bring God glory and accomplish His purposes, then He will deliver us from our circumstances. Sometimes though, taking us through the painful trial is what is best. And sometimes, people who trust God will die.

Do I understand it? No, not really.

Do I wish there was another way? Absolutely.

God did choose to save these young men from their trial. He doesn’t always do that though. I’ve lost both parents even though I prayed for their healing. I’ve endured unemployment and financial trials even though I pleaded with God to help me. I’ve asked God for help and healing that never seems to come.

More than understanding why God works the way He does, what I really need is to trust that God is always good, no matter what. Even if He doesn’t answer my prayer or come through like I’d hoped–He is still good, still loves me and can still be trusted.

Life Lesson #4: Nothing is ever too hard for God.

He is the God who can deliver us from the fiery furnace. This may seem like a contradiction to #3. I get that. I feel the tension. Don’t let that stop you from praying big, from praying for a miracle.

God wants us to trust Him and ask Him for things that only He can do.

Know this–today, you have everything God wants you to have. If there’s something you don’t have that you need, then God can provide it. Keep seeking and trusting Him. Maybe in the meantime there’s something He’s wanting to teach you about Himself or His ways. Maybe He wants to grow your faith. Maybe the timing isn’t right yet.

Focus on “Who?”, not “When?”, “Why?” or “How?” Some questions have no answers, at least not in this lifetime. Choose to focus on God and knowing Him better. Don’t let the unanswerable questions shipwreck your faith.

Life Lesson #5: People are impressed with God, not you and me.

After God saved them from the furnace, 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.”

Notice what the king says, “They trusted in Him…”

God responds to our faith and does things only He can do. When that happens, He is praised. He is believed in. He receives honor.

When we walk by sight and only attempt things that we can pull off, God doesn’t often show up. At least not in a way that makes anyone notice.

We can do things our way and get the results we can produce. Or we can do things God’s way, step out in faith, and experience Him do things only He can do.

King Nebuchadnezzar experienced God doing what only God could do, but like us, the king had a tendency to forget, which leads to another life lesson, which we’ll save until tomorrow.