Lord, it belongs not to my care
Whether I die or live;
To love and serve Thee is my share,
And this Thy grace must give.

If life be long, I will be glad,
That I may long obey;
If short—then why should I be sad
To soar to endless day?— Richard Baxter (1615-91)

Main Text:
16 Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego replied to the king, “O Nebuchadnezzar, we do not need to defend ourselves before you in this matter. 17 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. 18 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.” (Daniel 3:16-18 NIV)

Reference Text:
24However, I consider my life worth nothing to me, if only I may finish the race and complete the task the Lord Jesus has given me—the task of testifying to the gospel of God’s grace. (Acts 20:24)

Pertinent Questions:
1. What does Daniel 3:16-18 and Acts 20:24 tell us about Shadrach, Meshach, Abednego and Paul’s love for God?
They all love God more than they love their own lives.

2. What does Daniel and his three friends teach us about what it means to love God? (Refer to the narrative passages of the book of Daniel)
When their God is being defied or disregarded, they cannot rest; they feel they must do something; the dishonor to God’s name goads them into action. They love the renown of God and plead with the Lord to defend His own glory.

3. What does Paul teach us about what it means to love God?
To make the purpose of God the purpose of his life.

4. What can we learn about true love for God by observing the walk of biblical heroes all throughout scripture?
To really love God is to make his cause our lifelong cause; love the things that He loves; hate the things that He hates; approves whom He approves and desires all things that brings His heart delight, even if it is at the expense of our own lives, for what compares to our future glorification that has already been promised to us?

The Challenge:
Let’s confess that we all lack the vehemence, passion and agony of spirit for God’s cause. With open and contrite hearts, let’s pray for God have mercy on our poor love for Him. May we understand that we ought to love God than even our own lives lest we become our own idol. May we channel all the efforts of our heart mind and will to kingdom’s purposes and the magnification of God’s glory. Let us plead for grace that we may forget ourselves and start living gloriously for the Lord.