We are all on a faith journey molded by the Master, Christ Jesus. So, let us ask ourselves, “how strong is our faith?” On several occasions, as Jesus was training up His disciples on their faith journey, their faith was being tested, and they often fell short. Think of His words to them, “You of little faith. Why did you doubt” (Matt 14:31 NIV), or “stop doubting and believe” (John 20:27 NIV)? What about us? When our faith is being tested and developed, and we are under intense pressure, what would Jesus be saying to you or me? Would He say, “well done my faithful servant” (Matt 25:21 NIV)? Or would we hear those words, “You of little faith.” How far has He stretched you to build your faith? Have you ever had to stand firm in your faith against the intense opposition? Have you ever had to put your faith into action? What did you do? Did you stand firm and put your faith into action, or did you fall short and submit to the intense pressure from the opposition?
I would like us to think about that as we join three young men on their faith journey. These three young men from Judah faced massive opposition while they were in captivity in Babylon. They had to make a choice. Would they stand firm and put their faith into action, or would they submit to the intense pressure and fall short?
“King Nebuchadnezzar made an image of gold, sixty cubits high and six cubits wide, and set it up on the plain of Dura in the province of Babylon. He then summoned the satraps, prefects, governors, advisers, treasurers, judges, magistrates and all the other provincial officials to come to the dedication of the image he had set up. So the satraps, prefects, governors, advisers, treasurers, judges, magistrates and all the other provincial officials assembled for the dedication of the image that King Nebuchadnezzar had set up, and they stood before it.
Then the herald loudly proclaimed, ‘Nations and peoples of every language, this is what you are commanded to do: As soon as you hear the sound of the horn, flute, zither, lyre, harp, pipe and all kinds of music, you must fall down and worship the image of gold that King Nebuchadnezzar has set up. Whoever does not fall down and worship will immediately be thrown into a blazing furnace.’ Therefore, as soon as they heard the sound of the horn, flute, zither, lyre, harp and all kinds of music, all the nations and peoples of every language fell down and worshiped the image of gold that King Nebuchadnezzar had set up.
At this time some astrologers came forward and denounced the Jews.They said to King Nebuchadnezzar, ‘May the king live forever! Your Majesty has issued a decree that everyone who hears the sound of the horn, flute, zither, lyre, harp, pipe and all kinds of music must fall down and worship the image of gold, and that whoever does not fall down and worship will be thrown into a blazing furnace. But there are some Jews whom you have set over the affairs of the province of Babylon—Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego—who pay no attention to you, Your Majesty. They neither serve your gods nor worship the image of gold you have set up.’
Furious with rage, Nebuchadnezzar summoned Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego. So these men were brought before the king,and Nebuchadnezzar said to them, ‘Is it true, Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego, that you do not serve my gods or worship the image of gold I have set up? Now when you hear the sound of the horn, flute, zither, lyre, harp, pipe and all kinds of music, if you are ready to fall down and worship the image I made, very good. 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?’ Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego replied to him, ‘King Nebuchadnezzar, we do not need to defend ourselves before you in this matter. If we are thrown into the blazing furnace, the God we serve is able to deliver us from it, and he will deliver us from Your Majesty’s hand. But even if he does not, we want you to know, Your Majesty, that we will not serve your gods or worship the image of gold you have set up.’
Then Nebuchadnezzar was furious with Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego, and his attitude toward them changed. He ordered the furnace heated seven times hotter than usual and commanded some of the strongest soldiers in his army to tie up Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego and throw them into the blazing furnace.So these men, wearing their robes, trousers, turbans and other clothes, were bound and thrown into the blazing furnace. The king’s command was so urgent and the furnace so hot that the flames of the fire killed the soldiers who took up Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego,and these three men, firmly tied, fell into the blazing furnace.
Then King Nebuchadnezzar leaped to his feet in amazement and asked his advisers, ‘Weren’t there three men that we tied up and threw into the fire?’ They replied, ‘Certainly, Your Majesty.’ He said, ‘Look! I see four men walking around in the fire, unbound and unharmed, and the fourth looks like a son of the gods.’ Nebuchadnezzar then approached the opening of the blazing furnace and shouted, ‘Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego, servants of the Most High God, come out! Come here!’ So Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego came out of the fire,and the satraps, prefects, governors and royal advisers crowded around them. They saw that the fire had not harmed their bodies, nor was a hair of their heads singed; their robes were not scorched, and there was no smell of fire on them.
Then Nebuchadnezzar said, ‘Praise be to the God of Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego, who has sent his angel and rescued his servants! They trusted in him and defied the king’s command and were willing to give up their lives rather than serve or worship any god except their own God. Therefore I decree that the people of any nation or language who say anything against the God of Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego be cut into pieces and their houses be turned into piles of rubble, for no other god can save in this way.’ Then the king promoted Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego in the province of Babylon” (Daniel 3:1-30 NIV).
Let us think about the history of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego. “Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon came to Jerusalem and besieged it…Then the king ordered Ashpenaz, chief of his court officials, to bring into the king’s service some of the Israelites from the royal family and the nobility…Among those who were chosen were some from Judah: Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael and Azariah. The chief official gave them new names: to Daniel, the name Belteshazzar; to Hananiah, Shadrach; to Mishael, Meshach; and to Azariah, Abednego” (Dan 1:1-7 NIV). In each case, the Hebrew name contains a name for the true God (either el or iah, an abbreviation for Yahweh), and the Babylonian name includes the name of their false gods. These young men’s original names were of great significance, and their bold faith testifies of their names. Changing their name didn’t change who they were in God. Their faith affirms their true belief in Yahweh – the only true God. Praise be to God!Their amazing faith had an enormous impact on Nebuchadnezzar and all that were watching. They were willing to die for their faith. Do you not love how they responded to the king even in his rage against them? They chose to stand firm in God no matter what! They refused to bow down or serve any other god, but Yahweh!! Do you catch the sheer power and boldness in the inner strength of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego? They had full confidence that God was able to rescue them, and they rested in His sovereignty. They decided to stand firm in their faith against the tremendous opposition of the king, himself. That strength comes from God and God alone.That is the Holy Spirit working within! What about us? How does our faith impact others? Can others see Christ in us? Would someone want to know Christ from watching our faith in action? I want the faith that can stand firm even in the midst of severe opposition!!! I want the faith that will impact others!! To God be the glory!!! Amen.
