Shadrach, Meshach and Abed-nego replied to the king, “O Nebuchadnezzar, we do not need to give you an answer concerning this matter. If it be so, our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the furnace of blazing fire; and He will deliver us out of your hand, O king. But even if He does not, let it be known to you, O king, that we are not going to serve your gods or worship the golden image that you have set up.”
Daniel 3:16-18
The account of Shadrack, Meshach and Abed-nego in the Bible is one of the my favorites. Of course, the fact that the Lord walked with them in the furnace and saved them is beyond remarkable. And for years that was really all I thought about. Then one day while reading the passage, I focused on the reply the three Jews gave to King Nebuchadnezzar when he demanded they worship the Babylonian gods and golden image instead of God. First, they said they didn't need to give him an answer regarding being thrown into a fire and burned alive for disobedience to the king. Second, they testified that God was able to deliver them from the blazing furnace. Pretty impressive so far, right? But then, look at what they tell Nebuchadnezzar. "But even if He does not, let it be known to you, O king, that we are not going to serve your gods or worship the golden image that you have set up." Wow! That is incredible faith! That's the kind of faith I want to possess. No matter what happens to me, Lord, I'm going to follow you. Even if it means dying for my faith.
That is the faith I want also!
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