What is something to which you would say you are "devoted"?
Longsuffering's Steadiness
Once a person is aware of their state of "long-suffering," they can experience a change. Decisions that might have previously been challenging can become clearer, even obvious. This doesn't mean that it's easy, but it does create a kind of principled steadiness that carries people who find themselves in a place in which they do not fit for a long period of time.
Now that you've answered the Icebreaker, here's another question - this one, about a loving God.
Have you ever done something that was costly but didn't feel like a difficult choice?
Imagine your favorite artist announces a tour, and you know you're going. That's it. You don't know the date yet, you don't know the price, you haven't checked if you're free...but none of that matters. The decision happened the moment you saw the announcement. Everything after that is just logistics.
Or you find out a close friend is in the hospital. You're not weighing your options. You're grabbing your keys.
Or someone says something cruel about a person you love. You're not consulting your feelings about confrontation. You're saying something.
The decision was already made. You just didn't know you'd made it until the moment arrived.
There's a version of that with principles.
Most of us have things we believe. The things we'd say we stand for. But a lot of the time, those beliefs are still in the "waiting to see the details" phase. We haven't actually committed. So when something hard comes along, we find ourselves deciding all over again, under pressure, in public, with a cost attached.
But sometimes there are moments when a person has "already bought the ticket."
Something costly happens, and they're not agonizing. They're also not thinking about courage. They're just…doing the thing that makes sense to them. From the outside it looks brave. From the inside, I think it just feels like clarity.
That's where we're going today.
In Daniel 3, three men get thrown into a furnace. And the most striking thing about them isn't that they survive - it's that before they go in, they're not even that worked up about it.
Or you find out a close friend is in the hospital. You're not weighing your options. You're grabbing your keys.
Or someone says something cruel about a person you love. You're not consulting your feelings about confrontation. You're saying something.
The decision was already made. You just didn't know you'd made it until the moment arrived.
There's a version of that with principles.
Most of us have things we believe. The things we'd say we stand for. But a lot of the time, those beliefs are still in the "waiting to see the details" phase. We haven't actually committed. So when something hard comes along, we find ourselves deciding all over again, under pressure, in public, with a cost attached.
But sometimes there are moments when a person has "already bought the ticket."
Something costly happens, and they're not agonizing. They're also not thinking about courage. They're just…doing the thing that makes sense to them. From the outside it looks brave. From the inside, I think it just feels like clarity.
That's where we're going today.
In Daniel 3, three men get thrown into a furnace. And the most striking thing about them isn't that they survive - it's that before they go in, they're not even that worked up about it.
Hopefully that makes enough sense to get you started. As you continue into the Worship portion of the Spotlight, pray this prayer together:
Lord,
Teach us to receive the gift hidden in not fitting,
that the mismatch between who we are
and where we find ourselves
reveals us to ourselves.
Steady us with that knowledge,
and open our eyes to recognize it in one another.
Amen.
Lord,
Teach us to receive the gift hidden in not fitting,
that the mismatch between who we are
and where we find ourselves
reveals us to ourselves.
Steady us with that knowledge,
and open our eyes to recognize it in one another.
Amen.
The Ticket was Already Bought
From the very beginning,
when we turned away and hid ourselves...
He came looking.
When the world filled with violence and the grief of God was real...
He did not abandon it.
When Abraham lifted the knife...
He provided.
When his people were slaves in a foreign land...
He heard them.
When they wandered, when they complained, when they built other gods and bowed down to them...
He stayed with them.
When the prophets said someone is coming...
when the waiting stretched across generations...
He was already on his way.
This is not a God who deliberates.
This is not a God who checks the cost and gets back to us.
The ticket was bought before the world began.
And when the fullness of time came...
when he put on skin and walked into it with us...
he did not come to see how it would go.
He came because he already knew,
and he had already decided.
He went into the fire.
He did not come out the way he went in.
Silent reflection.
Let us pray.
Lord God,
you are not a God who waits to see what we will do
before you decide what you will do.
You have never been that God.
From the first moment we turned away,
you were already turning toward us.
From the first moment we were lost,
you were already on your way.
We confess that we have imagined you as a God who deliberates,
who weighs us,
who checks the conditions,
who waits for us to be worth it.
Forgive us for making you small enough to hesitate.
You have been buying this ticket since before time had a name.
Every rescue, every covenant, every prophet, every promise,
all of it was just logistics.
The decision was already made.
And when Jesus went into the fire,
he did not go in wondering.
He went in knowing.
Steady us with that.
When we face what is costly,
when the decision feels impossible,
when we are checking details and calculating risk,
remind us that we belong to a God
who has never once deliberated about us.
You went into the fire.
You did not come out the way you went in.
And because of that, neither will we.
Amen.
when we turned away and hid ourselves...
He came looking.
When the world filled with violence and the grief of God was real...
He did not abandon it.
When Abraham lifted the knife...
He provided.
When his people were slaves in a foreign land...
He heard them.
When they wandered, when they complained, when they built other gods and bowed down to them...
He stayed with them.
When the prophets said someone is coming...
when the waiting stretched across generations...
He was already on his way.
This is not a God who deliberates.
This is not a God who checks the cost and gets back to us.
The ticket was bought before the world began.
And when the fullness of time came...
when he put on skin and walked into it with us...
he did not come to see how it would go.
He came because he already knew,
and he had already decided.
He went into the fire.
He did not come out the way he went in.
Silent reflection.
Let us pray.
Lord God,
you are not a God who waits to see what we will do
before you decide what you will do.
You have never been that God.
From the first moment we turned away,
you were already turning toward us.
From the first moment we were lost,
you were already on your way.
We confess that we have imagined you as a God who deliberates,
who weighs us,
who checks the conditions,
who waits for us to be worth it.
Forgive us for making you small enough to hesitate.
You have been buying this ticket since before time had a name.
Every rescue, every covenant, every prophet, every promise,
all of it was just logistics.
The decision was already made.
And when Jesus went into the fire,
he did not go in wondering.
He went in knowing.
Steady us with that.
When we face what is costly,
when the decision feels impossible,
when we are checking details and calculating risk,
remind us that we belong to a God
who has never once deliberated about us.
You went into the fire.
You did not come out the way you went in.
And because of that, neither will we.
Amen.
Finding the Story in Other Stories
You're going to read through Daniel 3, aloud.
(You'll need a volunteer who will do that for the group.)
Before they read, get ready to pay attention to conviction and steadiness.
Notice who remains fixed and who wavers when pressure rises.
You're going to read this story "in conversation with" other stories.
As you're reading, if something reminds you of another character, scene, or moment from somewhere else in Scripture or from literature, movies, history, or your own experience, stop the reading and bring it up. Important: This should happen at least once per paragraph, so (dear reader) if you get to the end of a paragraph and nobody has made a connection with a different story, pause until someone does! Thank you.
Ask questions like:
Don't worry about whether the comparison is perfect. Put it on the table and see if it holds water. Sometimes the similarities are revealing; sometimes the differences are.
Anyone can interrupt the reading. If a connection, question, or observation comes to mind, say "stop" and we'll explore it. We'll let the story unfold together rather than rushing to finish the chapter.
(You'll need a volunteer who will do that for the group.)
Before they read, get ready to pay attention to conviction and steadiness.
Notice who remains fixed and who wavers when pressure rises.
You're going to read this story "in conversation with" other stories.
As you're reading, if something reminds you of another character, scene, or moment from somewhere else in Scripture or from literature, movies, history, or your own experience, stop the reading and bring it up. Important: This should happen at least once per paragraph, so (dear reader) if you get to the end of a paragraph and nobody has made a connection with a different story, pause until someone does! Thank you.
Ask questions like:
- Who does this remind me of?
- Where have I seen this pattern before?
- Is there another story that echoes what's happening here?
- Does this character resemble someone else?
- What happens when I lay these stories side by side?
Don't worry about whether the comparison is perfect. Put it on the table and see if it holds water. Sometimes the similarities are revealing; sometimes the differences are.
Anyone can interrupt the reading. If a connection, question, or observation comes to mind, say "stop" and we'll explore it. We'll let the story unfold together rather than rushing to finish the chapter.
Daniel 3:1–30
1 King Nebuchadnezzar made an image of gold, sixty cubits high and six cubits wide, and set it up on the plain of Dura in the province of Babylon. 2 He then summoned the satraps, prefects, governors, advisers, treasurers, judges, magistrates and all the other provincial officials to come to the dedication of the image he had set up. 3 So the satraps, prefects, governors, advisers, treasurers, judges, magistrates and all the other provincial officials assembled for the dedication of the image that King Nebuchadnezzar had set up, and they stood before it.
4 Then the herald loudly proclaimed, “Nations and peoples of every language, this is what you are commanded to do: 5 As soon as you hear the sound of the horn, flute, zither, lyre, harp, pipe and all kinds of music, you must fall down and worship the image of gold that King Nebuchadnezzar has set up. 6 Whoever does not fall down and worship will immediately be thrown into a blazing furnace.” 7 Therefore, as soon as they heard the sound of the horn, flute, zither, lyre, harp and all kinds of music, all the nations and peoples of every language fell down and worshiped the image of gold that King Nebuchadnezzar had set up.
8 At this time some astrologers came forward and denounced the Jews. 9 They said to King Nebuchadnezzar, “May the king live forever! 10 Your Majesty has issued a decree that everyone who hears the sound of the horn, flute, zither, lyre, harp, pipe and all kinds of music must fall down and worship the image of gold, 11 and that whoever does not fall down and worship will be thrown into a blazing furnace. 12 But there are some Jews whom you have set over the affairs of the province of Babylon—Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego—who pay no attention to you, Your Majesty. They neither serve your gods nor worship the image of gold you have set up.”
13 Furious with rage, Nebuchadnezzar summoned Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego. So these men were brought before the king, 14 and Nebuchadnezzar said to them, “Is it true, Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego, that you do not serve my gods or worship the image of gold I have set up? 15 Now when you hear the sound of the horn, flute, zither, lyre, harp, pipe and all kinds of music, if you are ready to fall down and worship the image I made, very good. But if you do not worship it, you will be thrown immediately into a blazing furnace. Then what god will be able to rescue you from my hand?”
16 Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego replied to him, “King 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 deliver us from it, and he will deliver us from Your Majesty’s hand. 18 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.”
19 Then Nebuchadnezzar was furious with Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego, and his attitude toward them changed. He ordered the furnace heated seven times hotter than usual 20 and commanded some of the strongest soldiers in his army to tie up Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego and throw them into the blazing furnace. 21 So these men, wearing their robes, trousers, turbans and other clothes, were bound and thrown into the blazing furnace. 22 The king’s command was so urgent and the furnace so hot that the flames of the fire killed the soldiers who took up Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego, 23 and these three men, firmly tied, fell into the blazing furnace.
24 Then King Nebuchadnezzar leaped to his feet in amazement and asked his advisers, “Weren’t there three men that we tied up and threw into the fire?”
They replied, “Certainly, Your Majesty.”
25 He said, “Look! I see four men walking around in the fire, unbound and unharmed, and the fourth looks like a son of the gods.”
26 Nebuchadnezzar then approached the opening of the blazing furnace and shouted, “Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego, servants of the Most High God, come out! Come here!”
So Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego came out of the fire, 27 and the satraps, prefects, governors and royal advisers crowded around them. They saw that the fire had not harmed their bodies, nor was a hair of their heads singed; their robes were not scorched, and there was no smell of fire on them.
28 Then 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. 29 Therefore I decree that the people of any nation or language who say anything against the God of Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego be cut into pieces and their houses be turned into piles of rubble, for no other god can save in this way.” 30 Then the king promoted Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego in the province of Babylon.
1 King Nebuchadnezzar made an image of gold, sixty cubits high and six cubits wide, and set it up on the plain of Dura in the province of Babylon. 2 He then summoned the satraps, prefects, governors, advisers, treasurers, judges, magistrates and all the other provincial officials to come to the dedication of the image he had set up. 3 So the satraps, prefects, governors, advisers, treasurers, judges, magistrates and all the other provincial officials assembled for the dedication of the image that King Nebuchadnezzar had set up, and they stood before it.
4 Then the herald loudly proclaimed, “Nations and peoples of every language, this is what you are commanded to do: 5 As soon as you hear the sound of the horn, flute, zither, lyre, harp, pipe and all kinds of music, you must fall down and worship the image of gold that King Nebuchadnezzar has set up. 6 Whoever does not fall down and worship will immediately be thrown into a blazing furnace.” 7 Therefore, as soon as they heard the sound of the horn, flute, zither, lyre, harp and all kinds of music, all the nations and peoples of every language fell down and worshiped the image of gold that King Nebuchadnezzar had set up.
8 At this time some astrologers came forward and denounced the Jews. 9 They said to King Nebuchadnezzar, “May the king live forever! 10 Your Majesty has issued a decree that everyone who hears the sound of the horn, flute, zither, lyre, harp, pipe and all kinds of music must fall down and worship the image of gold, 11 and that whoever does not fall down and worship will be thrown into a blazing furnace. 12 But there are some Jews whom you have set over the affairs of the province of Babylon—Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego—who pay no attention to you, Your Majesty. They neither serve your gods nor worship the image of gold you have set up.”
13 Furious with rage, Nebuchadnezzar summoned Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego. So these men were brought before the king, 14 and Nebuchadnezzar said to them, “Is it true, Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego, that you do not serve my gods or worship the image of gold I have set up? 15 Now when you hear the sound of the horn, flute, zither, lyre, harp, pipe and all kinds of music, if you are ready to fall down and worship the image I made, very good. But if you do not worship it, you will be thrown immediately into a blazing furnace. Then what god will be able to rescue you from my hand?”
16 Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego replied to him, “King 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 deliver us from it, and he will deliver us from Your Majesty’s hand. 18 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.”
19 Then Nebuchadnezzar was furious with Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego, and his attitude toward them changed. He ordered the furnace heated seven times hotter than usual 20 and commanded some of the strongest soldiers in his army to tie up Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego and throw them into the blazing furnace. 21 So these men, wearing their robes, trousers, turbans and other clothes, were bound and thrown into the blazing furnace. 22 The king’s command was so urgent and the furnace so hot that the flames of the fire killed the soldiers who took up Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego, 23 and these three men, firmly tied, fell into the blazing furnace.
24 Then King Nebuchadnezzar leaped to his feet in amazement and asked his advisers, “Weren’t there three men that we tied up and threw into the fire?”
They replied, “Certainly, Your Majesty.”
25 He said, “Look! I see four men walking around in the fire, unbound and unharmed, and the fourth looks like a son of the gods.”
26 Nebuchadnezzar then approached the opening of the blazing furnace and shouted, “Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego, servants of the Most High God, come out! Come here!”
So Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego came out of the fire, 27 and the satraps, prefects, governors and royal advisers crowded around them. They saw that the fire had not harmed their bodies, nor was a hair of their heads singed; their robes were not scorched, and there was no smell of fire on them.
28 Then 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. 29 Therefore I decree that the people of any nation or language who say anything against the God of Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego be cut into pieces and their houses be turned into piles of rubble, for no other god can save in this way.” 30 Then the king promoted Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego in the province of Babylon.
Deciding to See Refugees
Did you know that June 20th is International Refugee Day?
Take 5-10 minutes as a group and learn more about it here.
Take 5-10 minutes as a group and learn more about it here.
Pray Together
There is a traditional retelling of the story of the 3 men in the furnace in which the men are praying and singing praise to God while in the flames. Use this ancient prayer as you close out this Spotlight:
We beg of you, Lord,
to be our helper and protector.
Save the afflicted among us;
have mercy on the lowly;
Raise up the fallen;
appear to the needy;
heal the ungodly;
restore the wanderers of your people;
feed the hungry;
ransom our prisoners;
raise up the sick;
comfort the faint-hearted.
Amen.
- St. Clement of Rome, ~101 AD
We beg of you, Lord,
to be our helper and protector.
Save the afflicted among us;
have mercy on the lowly;
Raise up the fallen;
appear to the needy;
heal the ungodly;
restore the wanderers of your people;
feed the hungry;
ransom our prisoners;
raise up the sick;
comfort the faint-hearted.
Amen.
- St. Clement of Rome, ~101 AD
Close with this song.
Posted in Longsuffering by the Book
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