FAITHFUL IN THE FIRE
Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego replied, "O Nebuchadnezzar, we do not need to defend ourselves before you. If we are thrown into the blazing furnace, the God whom we serve is able to save us. He will rescue us from your power, Your Majesty. 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 3:16-18 (NLT)
The story of Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego is one that I think we can quickly look past. It has somehow become more of a children's church type of story, which truthfully is wild when you consider the violence of what's happening. The king, in his rage, has decided to end the lives of his political captives. His method for carrying out the death sentence is fire—being burned alive. It's cruel and unusual punishment by almost any standard.
All of this is happening because these men refused to bow in worship to a false god (a statue of the king himself). Can you imagine being made to bow down and worship a false god? It's easy to comfortably sit here and declare I would never! But what if you were faced with the penalty of death? And not just any death, but death by fire? I think we'd all like to say how we'd respond, but I pray we're never put in this position to find out.
But I am so radically blown away by what Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego say to the king in the face of death. They first acknowledge that the God they serve is fully capable of saving them from the fire. Bold! Could any of us honestly say we'd have faith that deep? But that's not all they say. They go on to assert that even if God chooses not to save them, they still won't commit idolatry. Phrased another way, they're choosing death over disobedience to God. Powerful!
Again, I pray that you're never faced with the choice of your life or your faith. But in another sense, every single day, we do face that choice. Will we remain obedient to the Lord even when it costs us something? Even when it's inconvenient? Even when it's painful? Will we be faithful in the flames? Take comfort in knowing that God did, in fact, rescue Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego. And He is also faithful in rescuing us, even if that rescue doesn't look exactly like what we might expect. He is faithful and good.
APPLICATION: Where are you facing a choice between faithfulness to Jesus and compromise? Ask God to help you choose obedience. Ask Him to renew a loyal spirit within you. Confess any sin aloud to Him, and commit afresh to follow Him.
PRAYER: God, You are faithful to rescue Your followers. Help me trust You with my future and life in the face of adversity. Grow within me a strength like that of Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego. In Jesus' name, amen.
“… Our Father in heaven…” Matthew 6:9b (NLT)
- What do You want to say to me today as my Father?
“… may Your name be kept holy.” Matthew 6:9c (NLT)
- What do You want to reveal to me about Your power today?
“May Your Kingdom come soon.” Matthew 6:10a (NLT)
- Help me make Your priorities my priorities today.
“Give us today the food we need,” Matthew 6:11 (NLT)
- Is there anything specific You want me to do with my time or the people I’m around today?
“and forgive us our sins, as we have forgiven those who sin against us” Matthew 6:12 (NLT)
- Reveal to me anyone I need to forgive or ask for forgiveness.
“And don’t let us yield to temptation…” Matthew 6:13a (NLT)
- Is there anywhere I’m vulnerable to temptation?