The story involves Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-Nego. The king of Babylon had sent out a decree that everyone under the rule of his kingdom was to worship an image he created, and whoever did not worship it was to be sent into aa "fiery furnace" to burn. These three men knew their God and instead answered the king in the following manner:
"If that is the case, our God who we serve is able to deliver us from the burining fiery firnace, 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 gods, nor will worship the gold image which you have set up" (Daniel 3:17-18).
Even more than their bravery and faithfulness to God is their audacity yet sureness of who God is. They knew God could save them, but if He decided not to, that didn't worry them. They knew their God was real and the only one to be worshipped and in whom they had life. In the end, they were thrown into the fire and the Lord delivered them in such a remarkable way:
"'Look!' he answered, 'I see four men loose, walking in the midst of the fire; and they are not hurt, and the form of the fourth is like the Son of God....and they saw these men on whose bodies the fire had no power; the hair of their head was not singed nor were their garments affected, and the smell of fire was not on them" (Daniel 3:25,27).
They went into the midst of the fire and they went out unscathed.
And so it will be for them that believe in God and remain faithful - who choose Him even if it means death. And though He not deliver us from death, we know we will live forever with Him.
"For if we live, we live to the Lord; and if we die, we die to the Lord. Therefore, whether we live or die, we are the Lord's" (Romans 14:8).
We are the Lord's.
Persevere and endure until the end.
No comments:
Post a Comment