Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-Nego answered and
said to the king, “O Nebuchadnezzar, we have no need 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
3v16-18
There are lot of examples of people in the Bible who decide to do the
right thing and trust God with the results. I love those examples and am encouraged
by them all.
To me though this incident really stands out and challenges me. When
they refused to bow down Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego were taken before the king.
He was furious and told them if the still refused he would have killed in fiery
furnace.
Their response is a statement of what I once heard called ‘raw faith.’
‘It is pretty simple king. You do what you have to do. If we have to go
to the furnace our God will deliver us. But even if he doesn’t we still won’t
bow down and serve your gods.’
These guys knew that as king Nebuchadnezzar had the power and the right
to enforce his laws. They knew they could not obey this law. But they knew God
was in control.
‘We believe that God is able to let us escape the penalty, but even if
He doesn’t we will not bow down.’
Their faith was more important to them than their fate. How many of us
can make that claim?
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