Passage Read: Ezekiel 48 - Daniel 3
Meditation Verses: Daniel 3:27-28
Thought
It is good and right to refuse to obey commands that violate the Law and heart of the Lord. But that doesn't mean we throw out respect and obedience to the ruler who gives such a command. These three men still spoke to the king with honor and served him both before and after this incident. In fact, because of their devotion to the Lord and their willingness to suffer death to preserve their consciences, and because of the Lord's miraculous deliverance, they gained honor in the king's eyes, and brought honor to the Lord through the king. It is not everyone who refuses ungodly commands that will be delivered; most who did so in history suffered the consequences of their singular disobedience, including death. God doesn't promise to deliver His people when they stand up for what is right. On the contrary, He promises that they will face judgment and have to answer to human courts. Some would be rebuked and released, some would be beaten and some would be killed. Those who recognize compromise and stand against disobeying the Lord need to be ready to suffer for it, as were these three men who expected to give their lives for their loyalty to the Lord.
Application
God requires obedience and respect for every authority instituted among men, whether to kings or governors, or slave masters or employers, or husbands or parents, or pastors and elders, or any other authority. Part of my obedience is recognizing their right to punish my refusal to obey commands that violate God's Word and will. So when I am convinced that disobedience is necessary, I need to maintain full submission even to the consequences my authority metes out, and full respect for the one in authority, including a heart to continue to do everything else I'm instructed to do both before and after any discipline. My disobedience should be so jarringly incongruous that they are loathe to punish me, because I've been such a faithful servant--if I've been around long enough.