Many of us have grown up hearing about Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego and the fiery furnace. This story is a favorite of Vacation Bible Schools in the summer. But can we really imagine what this was like?
Only Three Stood
In Daniel Chapter 3, King Nebuchadnezzar declares that all peoples and tongues shall worship a large golden image. What the image was we don't know. Babylon was thronging with Jewish people and yet when the "cornet sounded" for people to fall down and worship this "god" only these three men stood up. (For more on standing for your faith click here.)
Where Was Everyone Else
Don't you think they must have looked around thinking to themselves that their friends, coworkers, and family members would stand as well. Don't you think they never imagined that it would be they alone who would stand up for the true God. Imagine yourself in that crowd, knowing what the punishment would be if you stood. Would you, fearing death, kneel; while in your heart you knew that the golden image was not your God?
They Stood Because of Hope
When these brave three stood facing King Nebuchadnezzar they were able to stand because of their hope. They knew that God could deliver them if He so desired, but even if they weren't delivered, they still would not bow before a false idol.
The Fourth Man
Enraged, the King ordered the fire to be made even hotter than before. As the three men were hauled up to the furnace the men who came near to throw them in perished from the heat. What did the King see amidst the flames? Four men, and one was "like unto the Son of God".
No Smell of Smoke
The flames did not devour them. When the king called Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego out of the furnace, their clothes were not burned, their hair was not singed and they did not even smell of smoke.
"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. Therefore I make a decree, That every people, nation, and language, which speak any thing amiss against the God of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, shall be cut in pieces, and their houses shall be made a dunghill: because there is no other God that can deliver after this sort." Daniel 3:28-29
No Other God
Because of the courage of three men, out of thousands, came a complete turnaround of the king. Now the king promises to kill people if they speak against the God of the Jews. As the king says, there "is no other God that can deliver after this sort."
Can We Be So Bold?
Could we be this courageous? I think most of us view ourselves as courageous people, but are we? Do we find it difficult to stand up for God in today's world even without the threat of death? Can we be bold in declaring who our hope is? If we find it difficult to stand for God now, what happens if things become even more difficult?
Pray for Courage
Pray for courage. Pray for the ability to stand when others, be it family, friends or coworkers, do not. Remember the words of Moses in Deuteronomy 31:6, "Be strong and of a good courage, fear not, nor be afraid of them: for the Lord thy God, he it is that doth go with thee; he will not fail thee, nor forsake thee."
In Psalm 24:8 David says,
"Who is this King of glory? The Lord strong and mighty, the Lord mighty in battle." We don't go out alone. We go with our King of Glory!
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