Furious with rage, Nebuchadnezzar summoned Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego. So these men were brought before the king, and Nebuchadnezzar said to them, “Is it true, Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego, that you do not serve my gods or worship the image of gold I have set up? Now when you hear the sound of the horn, flute, zither, lyre, harp, pipe and all kinds of music, if you are ready to fall down and worship the image I made, very good. But if you do not worship it, you will be thrown immediately into a blazing furnace. Then what god will be able to rescue you from my hand?”
Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego replied to him, “King Nebuchadnezzar, we do not need to defend ourselves before you in this matter. If we are thrown into the blazing furnace, the God we serve is able to deliver us from it, and he will deliver us from Your Majesty’s hand. But even if he does not, we want you to know, Your Majesty, that we will not serve your gods or worship the image of gold you have set up.” (Daniel 3:13-18).
Even if he does not deliver us, we want you to know, Your Majesty, that we will not serve your gods or worship the image of gold you have set up.
Background
This was a big event. There were likely thousands on the plain of Dura commemorating this new statue. There were governors, treasurers, judges, magistrates. There were also 3 Jewish young men. The instructions couldn’t be clearer. When the music started either bow down and worship the statue or be thrown into a fiery furnace.
The three young men made a decision. They would not bow. Now they had a date with the King. A king that was not in a good spot. A king that Daniel suggested was “furious with rage”. The atmosphere must have been intense. Their answer was the same. But this time they added an exclamation point “King, we do not need to defend ourselves before you in this matter.” They went on to tell the King they would not serve or worship the image of gold that was set up.
Reflections
Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego by all accounts were young men. Some believe they could have been as young as 11-13. And despite their youth, they couldn’t have been clearer on their priorities. They knew the power of their God. And they were playing for eternity. And their bravery inspires me.
There are times where I wonder how heaven reacts to examples of courage that honor Him. There must be joy. As the guys said “if we are thrown into the blazing furnace, the God we serve is able to deliver us from it” I can see the father break into a smile and then look over at an angel and wink and say “I’ve got an assignment for you”. A very proud father.
If I’m honest, when I read this bible story I typically feel convicted. I can be cautious about sharing my faith. Nervous that I may strain a relationship. Fearful of what someone will think about me. More concerned about how they think about me…than where they spend eternity.
There are other times I haven’t leaned in. Back in high school my brother and I were taking a walk. A car braked hard and stopped on a neighborhood street. A young girl and young man both jumped out screaming at each other and met at the front of the car. She called him a name. He smacked her. It knocked her down. They both ran back into the car. My brother and I were stunned. We were paralyzed. We did nothing. I told myself it happened so quick. In my heart I know I could have done better. I really wish I had that one back.
Lord, for many years I have played it safe. When danger closes in I have been cautious. You can redeem my past. Please give me Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego’s clarity of purpose. A clearer sense of priority. A willingness to lean in whatever the cost. To play more for eternity. To make you proud. To make you smile. Amen.
What if the Christian community became fearless in sharing their faith and the good news?
What if Christian’s stood more resolute than anyone in defending those who were the recipients of injustice? Or the orphaned? Or the widows? Would our actions reset the world’s view of the church?
What if... 