Daniel 3:1-3 and 13-30

Three Men Stand Tall                                                

….Another story of incredible faith and miracles. Get this; first it was King Darius who ordered all men to bow down and worship him, now Nebuchadnezzar proclaims that upon hearing the designated sound all will fall down and worship the image of gold he had created. Who do these guys think they are? King Nebuchadnezzar even challenged God when three young men, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego refused to follow this decree. He became furious and told them, “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?”

Well, he found out! This trio stuck together and held tightly to the word of God. They respectfully told Nebuchadnezzar that their God could save them, but even if He did not they would not serve his gods or worship the image of gold he had set up. Though their faith was strong, you can bet as they were being bound and brought closer and closer to the inferno they had to be petrified. The flames were so hot, scripture says, that the soldiers who took them to the furnace burned up themselves. Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego were unharmed, not a hair was singed, and they had no smell of smoke on them. They were not alone within those flames.

This world is somewhat like a blazing furnace. We are not alone any more than Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego were. If we, like they did, maintain a firm grip on God’s word, believe from the depths of our hearts, and stand firmly with the Lord when challenged, perhaps we can come out unscathed as well. I don’t know if it’s possible to be without at least a faint odor of smoke, but defying the other gods that surround us daily and refusing to conform to what the world seems to demand of us is surely what God desires. Making our way through this earthly firestorm will be worth every challenge once we are blessed with the words we so long to hear, “Well done good and faithful servant.” 

Read Daniel 3:1-3 here

Read Daniel 3:13-30 here

Listen to Daniel 3:1-30 here