Furious, King Nebuchadnezzar ordered Shadrach,
Meshach, and Abednego to be brought in. When the men were brought in,
Nebuchadnezzar asked, "Is it true, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, that
you don't respect my gods and refuse to worship the gold statue that I have set
up? I'm giving you a second chance—but from now on, when the big band strikes
up you must go to your knees and worship the statue I have made. If you don't
worship it, you will be pitched into a roaring furnace, no questions asked. Who
is the god who can rescue you from my power?" Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego answered King
Nebuchadnezzar, "Your threat means nothing to us. If you throw us in the
fire, the God we serve can rescue us from your roaring furnace and anything
else you might cook up, O king. But even if he doesn't, it wouldn't make a bit
of difference, O king. We still wouldn't serve your gods or worship the gold
statue you set up."
Have you ever burned your finger or sat around a
campfire and felt the blazing flames? Just imagine how hot the fiery furnace
must have been for Shadrach,
Meshach, and Abednego. This is such an old story—any child who has been to
Sunday School knows the story with the bravery that these three friends had as
they faced King Nebuchadnezzar and stood up for what was right—not to worship
an idol. We are to worship our living God, not some metal figure.
Once again King
Nebuchadnezzar was angry—his face was probably beet red and fumes may have been
rising from his head! But the three friends stood their ground, followed the
decision that they had made not to bow down to any idol. Daniel didn’t tell
them what to do—they were men of integrity who could think for themselves, stick
by their decisions and not compromise their values. That probably made the King
even madder. Are you more like King Nebuchadnezzar or the three friends? Do you
expect your associates to bow down to your idols? Do you compromise your values
if you watch television or movies that you couldn’t watch with Jesus? Do you
stand up for what is right, true and pure?
Lord,
help us to make good decisions for ourselves and our loved ones, to be willing
to stand up for what is right knowing that You are the God who can rescue us.
© 2012 by Mickey M. Hunacek. All rights reserved.
Scripture from The Message, except where noted.
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