Reckless Praise sets hearts ablaze

Psalm 63:3

Because Your lovingkindness is better than life,
My lips shall praise You.

Daniel’s friends Shadrack, Meshach and Abednego were taken captive when Babylon attacked and plundered Israel. But, God loved these men because of their unwavering praise and loyalty.

When they refused to worship the idols of the Babylonians, the king ordered his soldiers to throw them into a blazing furnace. His exact words before the decreed execution was “Then what God will be able to rescue you from my hand?” – Daniel 3:15.

Nebuchadnezzar did not know that he was soon to encounter a God, with whom nothing is impossible!

Though Shadrack, Meshach and Abednego were certain that God could save them, they weren’t sure if it was in His plan to do so. Their response to the king’s challenge was amazing, when they said “the God we serve is able to deliver us from it… But even if he does not, we want you to know, Your Majesty, that we will not serve your gods…” – Daniel 3:17-18.

Yes, Shadrack, Meshach and Abednego had experienced God’s lovingkindness in Babylon. They were willing to die before bowing to an idol.

The temperature of the furnace was raised to such an extent that the soldiers who threw Shadrack, Meshach and Abednego into the fire were burned to death.

But, the furnace was still not hot enough for our God, who sent His angel to rescue them!

To the utter amazement of the king, not a hair on their head or a thread in their garment was burnt. He praised the living God of Shadrack, Meshach and Abednego, and decreed to kill any man who spoke against this almighty God.

God’s lovingkindness is amazing! It finds us when we most need it, though we are seldom deserving of it, and shows us why His love is reckless.

Pause a moment and think about this term – “Reckless Love”.

Yes, this love is deserving of Reckless Praise this Sunday! Let us not withhold what the Almighty deserves.