This morning I was challenged by the story of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego.
Have you ever faced death? I haven’t ever faced someone who was about to kill me, but I’m challenged to think of what my response would be. Would I say, “no, wait, please… I can pay you!” or “Please don’t, I have a family!” What would be my insurance for death?
For Shadrach, Meshach, and Abendego, they had one insurance: the glory of God. They believed that God’s purpose and His glory would ultimately be revealed. Check out what they said…
“Nebuchadnezzar, we do not need to defend ourselves in this matter.”
Their defense was God. They didn’t have to kick and scream and grasp on to the edge of the furnace. They didn’t even have to defend their actions. They trusted God as their defense.
“If we are thrown into the blazing furnace,”
Even though their punishment was sure (Nebby was pretty well set on taking care of anyone who wouldn’t comply), there was still the “if” factor. They knew they would only be thrown in if God allowed.
“the God we serve is able to save us from it”
They had great confidence in God’s ability to save them from whatever was thrown their way (or whatever they were thrown into!). They were His servants and they knew that He had their best interest in mind.
“and He will rescue us from your hand, O king.”
They knew that no matter what, they were in the hands of God. He would rescue them from the king’s hand, regardless of if they died in the fire or not.
“But even if He does not”
They rested in knowing that God, the giver of ETERNAL life, wasn’t obligated to spare them from the flames.
“we want you to know, O king, that we will not serve your gods…”
They wanted the king to know that no matter what happened, their primary concern was serving God and keeping themselves from idol worship. They neither worshipped the idol the king set up nor their own lives. They focused on God and His glory alone.
Long before Jesus was on the earth, these three prophets proclaimed with their actions what Jesus articulated in Matthew 10:28… “Do not be afraid of those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Rather, be afraid of the One who can destroy both the soul and body in hell.”
Does our fear of God exceed our fear of men? Do we trust Him to deliver us and those who are close to us in the face of danger? And even if He doesn’t, do we trust Him to move on our behalf for His ultimate glory?
I wanted to share a song with you that reminded me of this response they had…
[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=70PDuymQ_h0[/youtube]