Daniel 3–Unbending Commitment

Yesterday’s lesson at the Temple Terrace VBS was instructive, exciting, challenging, and inspiring. And not just for the kids

My good friend and preaching colleague, Ralph Walker, presented an engaging lesson that paralleled the children study of the three Hebrew boys, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-Nego, who along with Daniel were in Babylonian captivity.

While there is no way we can capture the power of Ralph’s lesson in this short blog post, take a minute to read the text and consider these thoughts.

God’s people were living in a foreign land among people who were idol worshipers. King Nebuchadnezzar constructed an image of gold that was 90 feet high and 9 wide. It was located in the plains of Dura, a wide open area where it would be visible at a great distance.

Everybody who was anybody important in governmental affairs was invited to the dedication ceremony. They were not only invited but expected to attend. With great fanfare a herald in concert with a symphony of musical instruments announced the command to bow as commanded by the King to worship his image.

Note that this was far beyond a mere political event. It was a religious service. The word “worship” is used at least 10 times in the text. There was no freedom of worship. It was dictated and expected by the King. Anyone who refused would be cast into the burning fiery furnace to be consumed.

Imagine being in that great crowds of tens or maybe hundreds of thousands of people. At the appointed time everyone bows down to the image in unison. Everyone except….three men who stood tall.

It is impossible to totally appreciate their courage. Their faith. Their commitment. Their loyalty to the Lord. They were not frightened by the King’s threats. Or intimated by the crowd. Or embarrassed to stand alone. Or influenced by religious superstition. Or swayed by political correctness.

When their rebellion was called to the King’s attention, he was furious at their disobedience. In a rage he threatened to cast them into the furnace, if they did not bow down. When given a second chance to compromise their convictions, they refused and offered this rebuttal to the King.

“Our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the burning fiery furnace, and he will deliver us out of your hand, O king. But if not, be it known to you, O king, that we will not serve your gods or worship the golden image that you have set up.”

Every child knows the rest of the story. Although they thrown into the furnace, God did deliver them. The King relented. Confessed Jehovah as God. And promoted Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-Nego in the Kingdom of Babylon.

This narrative speaks to a spiritual commitment, a deep faith, and a daring determination that courageously serves God regardless of the consequences. Its application should cause us to seriously consider our level of commitment.

Are you willing to serve God regardless of the consequences?

Will you be faithful when everyone else around you is bowing down to peer pressure?

Will you stand up for Truth when it’s not politically correct?

Will you suffer affliction, shame, humiliation, or even death for the cause of Christ?

Is your trust in God deep enough that you believe He can deliver you from the enemy?

And is your loyalty unwavering, even if God doesn’t deliver you?

Can you say as Job did, “Though He slay me, yet will I trust in Him”?

In a world gone mad with lust and license, are you willing to remain morally pure?

In a culture of materialistic pursuits, are you more determined to lay up treasures in heaven?

In an atmosphere where reveling, licentiousness and drunkenness are considered as acceptable “partying,”   are you committed to be sober minded, self controlled, and spirit filled?

When everyone else around you is bowing down to the American idols of popularity, pleasure, power, and possessions, will you stand tall in opposition to those false “gods”?

Is your purpose for being a Christian strong enough to withstand the assaults on your faith and the pressure to compromise your convictions?

Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-Nego are three of the great heroes of true faith in God. They did not bow. They did not bend. And they did not burn.

How about you?

–Ken Weliever, The Preacherman