Yielded Lives

Today's Verse:

Then Nebuchadnezzar spake, and said, Blessed be the God of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, who hath sent his angel, and delivered his servants that trusted in him, and have changed the king's word, and yielded their bodies, that they might not serve nor worship any god, except their own God. ~Daniel 3:28

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A dedication is when someone or something is set apart for the exclusive use or glory of another. A dedication implies that a life or object is yielded completely to a higher authority. This morning, we are looking at the power of dedication. We are studying how three young men under very adverse circumstances did not change their convictions about the yielding of their bodies and as a result shook up an entire kingdom.

We see the presentation in a dedication.

A dedication begins with a complete presentation. Romans 12:1 tells us that we must present our bodies a living sacrifice, wholly and acceptable unto God. It further states that is our reasonable service. Every Christian must come to the place in their life when they realize they are not their own and they have been purchased with the precious blood of Christ. As a result, the minimum that we should do is present our bodies to God for His service and glory. Our presentation must be entire, complete, and without any strings attached.

We see the proprietorship in a dedication.

A dedication makes it public that God is the owner of our bodies and lives. The fact that the three Hebrew young men did not bow or bend to the monstrous idol that the king made gave testimony that God was the Owner and Proprietor of their lives. We must come to understand that God will do more with us when He has complete control over us. The fact is either God owns us or we are under the ownership of Satan, the world, or the flesh. Whoever has veto rights clearly is the owner.

We see the persuasion in a dedication.

When these three young men came out of the fiery furnace unscathed, the king testified that they trusted in God. These young men boldly stated that even if God did not deliver them from the fire, they would not bow or bend. That’s faith! That’s great faith! The world needs to see Christians who have an unshakable faith in God, His Word, His power, and His ways. True dedication is faith that the world cannot bend.

We see the preservation in a dedication.

The king and his men were amazed that the fire had no power over the bodies of these three young men. Their hair was not singed, their clothing was not burned, and there was no smell of fire on them. The king acknowledged that God sent His angel and delivered His servants. What a testimony! A truly dedicated Christian can be cast into the fire, but the fire cannot hurt them in any way.

We see the permutation in a dedication.

Truly dedicated Christians are true agents of change. The king said that they changed his word! The power of their dedication resulted in a law change. The law went from making it illegal to worship God to making it illegal to say anything disparaging or blasphemous against God. A dedicated life changes the lives of those whom it comes into contact with.

We see the propagation from a dedication.

The testimony of these men resulted in a widespread propagation of the God of Heaven. All throughout the kingdom and beyond, word spread of the greatness of the God of Heaven. A dedicated life is a vibrant witness of God’s power.

Our generation desperately needs Christians who are completely dedicated to the Lord. Are you ready to dedicate your life to God and to see what impact you can make during your lifetime?

Have a surrendered God Morning!

Bible Reading Schedule: Nehemiah 4-6

#Daniel #Dedication #Fire #Trial