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There is a war going on for the soul of humanity. It’s time to decide if we’re going to stand in faith, waiting on God and His deliverance or seek man’s solutions for our lives.
We must remember that EVERY good and perfect gift comes from God. Our lives, our jobs, our food, our clothing, our families and much more.
When the devil throws trials at us we need to recognize that our actions are being watched by God and in that moment of decision it is known whether we trust him or not.
Consider the three Hebrews Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah otherwise known as Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego that were commanded by the king of Babylon to obey him and worship his golden image instead of obeying Yahweh God.
The Challenge
The king of Babylon made an image of gold and set it up in the center of town. 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. As they all stood before the image the decree went out.
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.
We see here that when the king gave his command it was obeyed by the masses those who were afraid to lose what they had – position, power, money and the comforts of life – they believed that the king had power over life and death.
The Accusation
Some of the scientist of that time went to the king and told him there are Hebrews that are not obeying your command to worship the golden image.
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.”
Notice that the three Hebrews had positions of power in Babylonian as well because God showed them favor for trusting in Him and keeping His commands. They were set over the affairs of the province of Babylon but were willing to give up their positions of power, wealth and status when it came to compromising their faith in God by bowing the knee to another god (science today).
The Ultimatum
The scripture says the king was furious with rage and summoned the three Hebrews and they were brought before the king and questioned.
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?
The ultimatum was given. When you hear the music, if you bow down and worship my image now, you can maintain your lifestyle and status BUT if you do not, I’m going to burn you alive in the furnace!
This is the moment in our lives that we must choose who we serve. Is our faith in God strong enough to stand for Him in the face of…
- Fear of death
- Great pressure to comply to the demand of the world
- Intimidation
- Losing our livelihood and standard of living
This is why it’s extremely important to spend time with our Heavenly Father. Developing our relationship by reading His word daily and praying about everything. This is how we build strength to stand in the time of decision.
I’m reminded of what Peter said about standing in our faith…
Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might. Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places. Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.
Ephesians 6:10-13
Faith in the Face of Fear
The Hebrews knew their God and remembered how He had been there for them all their lives and supplied all their needs. They knew that God was King over their lives and He gave them their position of power in Babylon.
I love their reply…
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.
They said, our God is able to deliver us from your hand king but if he does not, let it be known to you that we will NOT serve your God! Wow, faith in the very presence of fear.
Then the king was full of fury, and the expression on his face changed toward Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-Nego. He spoke and commanded that they heat the furnace seven times more than it was usually heated (Not only am I going to take your freedom but I’m going to take your job and your life as well).
Jesus Shows Up
So the Hebrews were bound and cast into the midst of the burning furnace for the kings command was urgent. But then something happened…
Then King Nebuchadnezzar was astonished; and he rose in haste and spoke, saying to his counselors, “Did we not cast three men bound into the midst of the fire?” They answered and said to the king, “True, O king.”
Look! he answered, “I see four men lose, walking in the midst of the fire; and they are not hurt, and the form of the fourth is like the Son of God.
Isn’t that just like our God! When we show him that our faith is real and we obey Him and stand for Him when we are confronted with compromise, tested to go along with the crowd, follow the world and challenged to deny our God…He steps in. Praise Yahweh!!
Then Nebuchadnezzar went near the mouth of the burning fiery furnace and spoke, saying, “Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-Nego, servants of the Most High God, come out, and come here.” Then Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-Nego came from the midst of the fire. And the satraps, administrators, governors, and the king’s counselors gathered together, 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.
They didn’t even smell like fire.
The instrument the king used to take their lives had no effect. God removed all power from the kings hand that day and demonstrated His power to the king and his satraps, administrators, governors, and his counselors that He alone is The Most High God!
The Almighty Worshiped
Upon seeing this the king could not deny the God of the Hebrews and began praising God himself for delivering the Hebrews who trusted in Him. The king was so impressed that he commanded that no one in the kingdom should speak a bad word against the God of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-Nego and if they did, they would be cut in pieces, and their houses made an ash heap.
Nebuchadnezzar spoke, saying, “Blessed be the God of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-Nego, who sent His Angel and delivered His servants who trusted in Him, and they have frustrated the king’s word, and yielded their bodies, that they should not serve nor worship any god except their own God! Therefore I make a decree that any people, nation, or language which speaks anything amiss against the God of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-Nego shall be cut in pieces, and their houses shall be made an ash heap; because there is no other God who can deliver like this.
As for the Hebrews that stood for God in the face of fear, they were promoted!
Then the king promoted Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-Nego in the province of Babylon.
Remember, Yawheh will protect you in the face of fear when you stand for Him.
Yahweh be Praised!!
Shalom
You can read the complete story in Daniel chapter 3 here.