Text: Daniel 3:16-30

Dear Brethren,

A COURAGEOUS STAND
Shadrach, Meshach and Abed-Nego found themselves in dilemma, or so their enemies thought! If they chose to make a courageous stand for their faith, then they would be condemned to death. If on the other hand, they were to back down, and worship the gold image of Nebuchadnezzar, then they would have denied their faith.

How would you have responded if you were in their shoes? As far as the three young men were concerned, they had already made up their mind as to how they would cast their vote! They would rather die for their faith, than make a mockery of their profession of trust in God!

UNEQUIVOCAL STATEMENT OF FAITH
What a tremendous confession of faith, the three friends made together.

"O Nebuchadnezzar,
We have no need (to hesitate) to answer you
In this matter.
If that is the case, our God whom we serve is able to deliver us
From the burning fiery furnace,
And He will deliver us from your hand, O king.
BUT if not, let it be known to you, O king,
That we do not serve your gods,
Nor will we worship the gold image
Which you have set up."
Daniel 3:16-18

This is the kind of bold, clear-cut testimony that we need to see more of today. Let's take time to analyse this testimony carefully.

1. There was great confidence in the POWER of God to deliver.
2. However, there was NO PRESUMPTION on God that He must deliver.
3. In any case, there will be TOTAL LOYALTY to God. No knee will ever bow to any graven image!

THE KING INFURIATED
We can't please everybody in life. We also shouldn't fear anybody in life! The three friends knew that and they decided that they would be true to the Lord, even if it meant risking their lives.
King Nebuchadnezzar was predictably angry at this response! He ordered that the three young men be thrown into the burning, fiery furnace! How dare these three young Jewish upstarts defy his orders! What kind of faith did they have? What kind of a God did they believe in to inspire such devotion?

Prayerfully,                                                                             

Pastor Charlie

First released 29th April 2001, © Bethany Independent-Presbyterian Church, Singapore