16 Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego replied to him, “King Nebuchadnezzar, we do not need to defend ourselves before you in this matter. 17 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. 18 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 3:16-18;NIV)
28 Then Nebuchadnezzar said, “Praise be to the God of Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego, who has sent his angel and rescued his servants! They trusted in him and defied the king’s command and were willing to give up their lives rather than serve or worship any god except their own God. 29 Therefore I decree that the people of any nation or language who say anything against the God of Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego be cut into pieces and their houses be turned into piles of rubble, for no other god can save in this way.”
(Daniel 3:28-29;NIV)
Insights
Daniel chapter 3 verses 16 to 18 are words spoken by Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego. It expresses that the reality of their faith is more than just wishful thinking. Their faith is based on the reality that the God whom they trust is real and capable of action. WE see in this message that this does not only focus on these three brave men. Because there is another purpose of this message – the purpose concerns with Nebuchadnezzar. I believe that men have faith, including those people who confessed to be atheist. However, their faith is improperly placed in something that is not true. I believe that the most important about faith is its object or the reality of it.
It is clear that for Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, the commitment that they made will result to some consequences. I am sure that they already knew that there was indeed some consequences which they should need to face for obeying God. But what happened next was very amazing.
The power of God was demonstrated through the lives of God’s faithful servants. In Daniel 3:28-29, we read Nebuchadnezzar’s statement of faith was immediately followed by a statement and an order. The statement was that there was no other God and to worship any other would have disastrous consequences. There are many people who, like Nebuchadnezzar, seem to have a firm conviction about the existence and power of God but it is based upon what others have told them. It never was their own conviction based on their experience. Faith is more than a second hand experience based on the testimony of others. Somewhere down the road something must happen that makes that faith personal. Personal faith in God produces Godly character and an ability to live a life that glorifies God.
Implications
Very often in our lives, we need to face the fires of adversity and like these three men, we also have the promises of God to hold. He is faithful to keep His promises and we have hope that He will deliver us also.
Let us never be ashamed of our God, His Son Jesus Christ, or His Word. We may have the opportunity to suffer for His name, and it is historical events like this in the lives of other saints that encourage us. Are you going to be afraid of family members, school peers, neighbours, or anyone else who questions or criticizes your faith in the God of heaven? There are many martyrs under the altar of God, who were not delivered from the flames until their souls were taken to heaven by His angels. In the burning flames they gave testimony time after time of His glorious and preserving grace.
Here we have a glorious example of courage to stand publicly for the true God against horrible danger. The small tests of faith we experience are nothing in comparison with what these three men withstood.
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