and Nebuchadnezzar said to them, “Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, is it true that you do not serve my gods or worship the golden statue I have set up?

— Daniel 3:14

20 For since the creation of the world God’s invisible qualities, His eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly seen, being understood from His workmanship, so that men are without excuse.

21 For although they knew God, they neither glorified Him as God nor gave thanks to Him, but they became futile in their thinking and darkened in their foolish hearts.

22 Although they claimed to be wise, they became fools,

23 and exchanged the glory of the immortal God for images of mortal man and birds and animals and reptiles.

25 They exchanged the truth of God for a lie, and worshiped and served the creature rather than the Creator, who is forever worthy of praise! Amen.

— Romans 1:20-23, 25

How great are His signs, how mighty His wonders! His kingdom is an eternal kingdom; His dominion endures from generation to generation.

— Daniel 4:3

Thoughts on Today’s Reading

Grace, mercy and salvation from Christ to you.

This world offers many distractions to keep people from hearing, believing or following God. Human accomplishments may lead to laser-focused efforts to win worldly acceptance. People see God’s wonders on the earth or in the sky but foolishly worship the created rather than the Creator. Humanity’s mutiny never surprises God. Infectious rebellion began in garden of Eden with the first man and woman God created, and now it permeates all people. We seek self-autonomy, not God. But God pursues foolishly proud people, strategically revealing His glory in diverse ways.

God alone is the Creator and provider of all things. Only He is worthy of worship. God patiently invites all people into a relationship with Him. He meets people where they are to lead them to Himself. Daniel’s three friends in exile recognized God’s supremacy as they humbly but firmly refused to bow to a man-made idol. King Nebuchadnezzar, however, painfully learned to humble himself before God. Willingly or unwillingly, every person will one day submit to God and His authority. God reveals His glory to call us to worship Him alone.