Text: Daniel 3:15-18
The three Hebrew children were determined to stay with God. We learn they had "purposed in their hearts" back in the first chapter of Daniel. But in the third chapter, we see their purpose put to the test. King Nebuchadnezzar had erected a huge golden image on the plains of Dura. He expected everyone (no exclusions) to bow down in homage to the image whenever the "band" started to play. This was in direct disobedience to God's commandments, yet all around them, their fellow Jewish captives were bowing low. The penalty for disobeying the king's command was stated clearly. Severe indeed, it said the disobedient would be cast into a fiery furnace.
Amidst the music and the field filled with prostrate bodies, three figures stood erect. Nebuchadnezzar couldn't believe his eyes. These boys were some of his favorites! Perhaps they hadn't heard, or maybe they misunderstood. Nebuchadnezzar decided to give them another chance. He again made the consequences clear and issued the command. To his surprise, these three Hebrew boys spoke out. "O king, live for ever. We hear your command, but we must obey a higher command than yours. Our God is able to deliver us from the fiery furnace, but even if He doesn't, we still will not bow!"
Nebuchadnezzar could not believe his ears either. Furious, he ordered the furnace to be heated seven times hotter than it had ever been heated before and ordered the musicians to begin playing again. When the three Hebrews stood their ground, he turned and ordered his guards to bind them and throw them bodily into the furnace. Those who did so dropped dead, overcome by the fierceness of the heat. Wonder of wonders, the opening of the furnace revealed the three walking around in the furnace. Their bindings were gone, their robes were colorful, rich, and definitely not on fire. What's more, there was a fourth man there in the flames with them! Nebuchadnezzar testified that this fourth man was like unto the son of God.
Trembling, he called them to come out of the fire. As they climbed out of the furnace, it was noted that there was no evidence they had ever even been in the fire! Their hair wasn't singed, their clothes were intact, there were no burns on their skin, there wasn't even the smell of smoke on them! Nebuchadnezzar's conclusion was, "There's no god like the God of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego. He is the only one anyone should serve."
So, how did the three Hebrew boys do it? What was their secret? Here are their six principles...
- Follow After Righteousness -
- "Follow me as I follow Christ," Paul said.
- If you want to soar like an eagle, you need to keep company with eagles.
- They Kept Their Blessing Their Blessing -
- they didn't get swell-headed
- they didn't allow their blessing to become a curse
- they chose to stay with God
- they didn't adapt or succumb to peer pressure
- They Refused to Serve Other Gods -
- Even though Nebuchadnezzar liked them, he still expected them to bow
- He offered them a way out
- They refused to compromise
- They did what was right
- Don't Take the Easy Way Out -
- Taking the easy way meant abandoning God
- They chose the furnace (definitely not the easy way)
- Do Your Part - God Will Do His -
- Their stand put them in harm's way
- God did not deliver them from the fire
- He delivered them IN the fire
- Thrown in bound, they were loosed in the furnace
- Three thrown in, four walked in the fire
- God was with them!
- When We Choose God - Victory Follows -
- Nebuchadnezzar called them out of the fire
- The fire had no power on their body
- No smell of smoke
- Not one hair singed
- No damage to their clothing
- Results - King's declaration, "One True God!"
- Promotion for Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego
- King Nebuchadnezzar recognized God's power
Editor's Note: Berris and Victolynn Flemmings are both registered nurses. They are a blessing to their family, to their workplaces, and to the New Life Apostolic Church family. They teach and labor faithfully for the Kingdom's sake and the Body of Christ is blessed by their cheerful diligence.
No comments:
Post a Comment