According to Christian tradition, Telemachus was a fourth-century monk who jumped into a Roman Coliseum to stop a gladiator fight, shouting, “In the name of Christ, forbear!” Telemachus was killed for his efforts, but his act of courage, compassion, and conviction triggered the end of the violent “games.” It’s said that Telemachus was divinely inspired to visit Rome, and he stayed true to his calling.
This monk’s story reminds me of three young Hebrew boys who also stood firm in the face of overwhelming odds. When Nebuchadnezzar raised a golden image and decreed that everyone should bow down to worship, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego did not (Daniel 3:12). Enraged by their defiance, the Babylonian king gave them one more chance to comply or face certain death.
Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego did not waver. They declined the king’s offer, stating, “The God whom we serve is able to save us. . . . But even if he doesn’t, we want to make it clear to you, Your Majesty, that we will never serve your gods or worship the gold statue you have set up” (Daniel 3:17-18). These young men declared with their actions what Oswald Chambers put into words: “I care not what God will do; I care who God is.” Instead of focusing on whether God would deliver them, the three centered their lives and actions around who God is—the only One worthy of worship.
Our ability to stand in the midst of trials will depend on the focus of our gaze. If we’re looking only for immediate deliverance, we may not endure. If, however, we’re looking to Jesus, then He’ll help us to realize that whatever happens, the story doesn’t end here. We will one day be in God’s presence, worshiping Him alone for all eternity.
NLT 365-day reading plan passage for today: Mark 10:17-31
More:
Read Phil. 3:8-11 to see what Paul says about his motivation for serving God.
Next:
What happens to us and to others when we choose to glorify God in and through our challenges? What steps can you take to trust Him more when difficulties arise?
youssef1777 on August 24, 2016 at 2:57 am
THE THREE MAN KNOW THE TRUTH . THAT SAVE THEM . WE SHOULD STAY WITH THE WORD OF GOD NOT WITH WHAT THE WORLD TELL US . GOD BLESS ALL .
remioyedele2015 on August 24, 2016 at 11:34 am
Amen to that, Youssef – the truth lies in God alone. May we not be distracted by all the lies that abound in Jesus Name!
Be blessed,
Remi
Gary Shultz on August 24, 2016 at 6:18 am
Hi Remi, nicely done. What a gem was set with O. Chambers quote, in it lays much truth and vision as to how we view God in our lives. Two other pulling words you use, centered and focusing, our part of the deal. We are not on cruse control, nor the new technology that drives cars without human interaction. A major point of our relationship is our interaction; the aspects of our walk that we enact to be close to God. Of course God has opened the path for us, but we must sometimes, sit, stand, walk, or run in this “calling” relationship. How else could a close, a great, and enduring relationship stand without deep knowledge and trust in the One we have come to worship? Is this not good stuff? Thanks Remi.
remioyedele2015 on August 24, 2016 at 11:38 am
Thank you so much, Gary – don’t you just love Oswald Chambers?! His spiritual insights definitely pack a punch and still resound today. I once read that while away as a missionary, he prayed to God at a point for a pet chicken, and one finally pecked its way into his life! I pray that we will all experience such a fun, loving and intimate interaction with our Heavenly Father.
Be blessed,
Remi
gagirllive on August 24, 2016 at 8:02 am
“Our ability to stand in the midst of trials will depend on the focus of our gaze.” That’s it, Remi! I know that when I’m faint-hearted, I can always trace it back to where I’ve fixed my eyes—either on my circumstances or on Christ. Staying true means staying focused on Him. This O.T. account in Daniel is so encouraging on so many levels, Remi. Thank you for reminding us today that whatever we’re going through there is the “fourth Man” in the fire with us—Jesus! Grace and peace to you, sister.
remioyedele2015 on August 24, 2016 at 11:42 am
Amen, gagirl – that’s a truth I have also discovered in my life; when I start feeling overwhelmed, I can trace my steps back to the moment I started shifting focus away from Jesus to the circumstance at hand. The truth is that our times are in God’s hands, so we never have legitimate cause to fear – He’s got us!!
Be blessed,
Remi
Tom Felten on August 24, 2016 at 8:47 am
Remi, I’m reminded of these lyrics from the classic hymn:
Turn your eyes upon Jesus,
look full in His wonderful face.
And the things of earth will grow strangely dim,
in the light of His glory and grace.
remioyedele2015 on August 24, 2016 at 11:45 am
Hi Tom,
I love that hymn! It’s so true, isn’t it? How could anything compete with the radiant glory of Jesus’ face? May we fall ever deeper into His gaze in Jesus Name.
Be blessed,
Remi
alexaoj on August 24, 2016 at 9:03 am
Thank you sister Remi for your valuable insight. What an example these Hebrew boys displayed for all of us to pattern. God has a perfect plan with purpose for all His children. I liked when they told the king, that even if our God do not deliver us, we rather burn than bow. They knew their God enough to make such a bold statement. Either way it was still deliverance for them. May the God that I say I serve and have faith in, give me such boldness when facing challenges and temptations. Stay bless saints of God.
remioyedele2015 on August 24, 2016 at 11:47 am
Amen, Alexa!! Thank God for the wonderful example of those who have gone before and can bolster our faith when we falter!
Be blessed my sister,
Remi
johnswanson on August 24, 2016 at 11:35 am
I am happy to follow you on our daily journey. Please pray for me that I remain encouraged. I struggle with depression, but God is good.
remioyedele2015 on August 24, 2016 at 11:50 am
I pray for you John, that you will feel the loving embrace of your Heavenly Father and know that He weeps when you do and aches to have you experience His joy and peace. You are not alone; the Eternal God is your refuge and underneath you are His everlasting arms. Reject the enemy’s lies and receive the truth of your inheritance in Christ in Jesus Name.
Be blessed dear brother,
Remi
johnswanson on August 24, 2016 at 11:54 am
God has blessed me through you. Thank you, Remi!
sandy229 on August 24, 2016 at 12:06 pm
I love reading the book of Daniel. I love the part about where Nebuchadnezzar threw Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego in the firey furnace and was suprised to see that Jesus was in there along with them, of course he didn’t know it was Jesus, but he knew it had to be a god. You would think he would have learned from that, but then he went back to living in his palace in comfort and prosperity, andhe said, “By my own mighty power, I have built this beautiful city as my royal residence to display my majestic splendor.” He still refused to give God the Glory and credit, but then he paid the price for seven years. Nebuchadnezzar was notorious for tearing things in pieces, and was the first druggie in the Bible (he lived on grass for 7 years). LOL
If we refuse to give God the Glory He deserves, we will fail too. I thank God that He is always there with me and by the power of the Holy Spirit, He shows me right from wrong, and gives me the nudge whenever I start to stray!! Thank you Remi for your devo today, it is truly encouraging!
hsnpoor on August 25, 2016 at 11:42 am
“lived on grass for 7-years”—LOLLLL!! Good one, Sandy! I tag onto your prayer as well. Blessings to you!
minkjh on August 24, 2016 at 12:53 pm
Your last paragraph really says it all, Remi, especially ‘the focus of our gaze’ part. There are indeed times when God will act with expediency to deliver us and I think we’ve grown to expect that as the norm in the gotta’ have it now mindset of today’s world. But His will is not always ours and as true believers we need to trust that God never fails to keep his promises to us.
hsnpoor on August 25, 2016 at 11:43 am
This devotion brings to my mind Jim Elliott’s quote that “he is no fool who gives up what he cannot keep to gain that which he cannot lose”. Now, ain’t that just the God’s honest truth?!!