Athlete, Worship God No Matter What
"If we are thrown into the blazing furnace, the God we serve is able to deliver us from it, and he will deliver us from Your Majesty's hand. But even if he does not, we want you to know, Your Majesty, that we will not serve your gods or worship the image of gold you have set up." Daniel 3:18
Do you know the story of Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego? They are Israelites living in exile under the authority of a different king. This king makes a statue, of himself, and instructs everyone in the kingdom to bow down and worship it. Essentially, to worship him. Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego refuse to do it. So the king decides to put them into a furnace and have them burned alive. Spoiler alert, God saves them.
But before He does, this is how Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego respond to the king in Daniel 3:17,18: "If we are thrown into the blazing furnace, the God we serve is able to deliver us from it, and he will deliver us from Your Majesty's hand. But even if he does not, we want you to know, Your Majesty, that we will not serve your gods or worship the image of gold you have set up."
Did you catch that? God can rescue us, but He may choose not to. Even if he does not, we will still worship him over you.
Athlete, does your worship to God have strings attached? If you knew that worshipping God wouldn't heal your injury faster (or prevent it in the first place) or secure that personal best or win whatever championship you've been chasing, would you still worship Him?
There's no other application besides that question today. And it's a big one. God wants worship directed at Him, not what He can do for us on the playing field. Will you committed to worshipping Him even if He doesn't grant you athletic success?
Do you know the story of Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego? They are Israelites living in exile under the authority of a different king. This king makes a statue, of himself, and instructs everyone in the kingdom to bow down and worship it. Essentially, to worship him. Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego refuse to do it. So the king decides to put them into a furnace and have them burned alive. Spoiler alert, God saves them.
But before He does, this is how Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego respond to the king in Daniel 3:17,18: "If we are thrown into the blazing furnace, the God we serve is able to deliver us from it, and he will deliver us from Your Majesty's hand. But even if he does not, we want you to know, Your Majesty, that we will not serve your gods or worship the image of gold you have set up."
Did you catch that? God can rescue us, but He may choose not to. Even if he does not, we will still worship him over you.
Athlete, does your worship to God have strings attached? If you knew that worshipping God wouldn't heal your injury faster (or prevent it in the first place) or secure that personal best or win whatever championship you've been chasing, would you still worship Him?
There's no other application besides that question today. And it's a big one. God wants worship directed at Him, not what He can do for us on the playing field. Will you committed to worshipping Him even if He doesn't grant you athletic success?
Recent
Archive
2019
May
Athlete, God CreatesAthlete, You're Made In His ImageAthlete, RestAthlete, RememberAthlete, God UnitesAthlete, Don't FallAthlete, Pain and Frustration Will EndAthlete, Stop ComparingAthlete, There Is No Middle RoadAthlete, Step Out In FaithAthlete, You're CleanAthlete, Know The CovenantAthlete, Know the NationsAthlete, Divisions ExistAthlete, God Makes PromisesAthlete, WaitAthlete, Location MattersAthlete, Who Is Melchizedek?Athlete, You Are IncludedAthlete, God Sees YouAthlete, God Gives Us Signs
June
Athlete, Be RemindedAthlete, Be Honest With GodAthlete, Reflect On His MercyAthlete, God Keeps CoveringAthlete, The Wait Is OverAthlete, God Tests Athlete, Put On The QualitiesAthlete, Be ChallengedAthlete, God works Evil For GoodAthlete, Glory is ComingAthlete, God Saves Messy PeopleAthlete, God Provides Athlete, God's in Control Athlete, God is PatientAthlete, Step Out in FaithAthlete, See the MarkersAthlete, Take Time to PrayAthlete, Let's Talk About Fresh StartsAthlete, Love is The CureAthlete, Grace is OffensiveAthlete, See the ForeshadowAthlete, Don't ForgetAthlete, God is NearAthlete, Are You Willing To Learn?Athlete, Give Thanks
July
Athlete, Cultivate IntimacyAthlete, Take ComfortAthlete, You Have An InheritanceAthlete, God Uses All of UsAthlete, ConfessAthlete, Don't DoubtAthlete, Make RoomAthlete, Ask Your QuestionsAthlete, Do Not ChargeAthlete, Be Aware of Resistance Athlete, Know Your HeartAthlete, Don't Be Stubborn Athlete, Trust JesusAthlete, Have Risky FaithAthlete, We Were Created For JoyAthlete, Understand the Already Not YetAthlete, What Are You TrustingAthlete, ReflectAthlete, You're a Royal Priest Athlete, PauseAthlete, Recognize His PresenceAthlete, Seek Justice
August
Athlete, Remember WITH not FORAthlete, David Wasn't Always PerfectAthlete, Confess to an Audience of OneAthlete, Be Honest With GodAthlete, Take NoteAthlete, Recognize the Preeminent OneAthlete, Put it to DeathAthlete, You Are Being RenewedAthlete, This is Your New UniformAthlete, Whatever You Do, Do It For JesusAthlete, Use A Different FormulaAthlete, We Are FamilyAthlete, You Have Three Deep NeedsAthlete, Fan The FlameAthlete, Start The FireAthlete, Know The AntidoteAthlete, Choose PeaceAthlete, Peace is a WeaponAthlete, It Was Not A Silent NightAthlete, This is How You Experience Peace
Categories
no categories