Standing for What is Right
Sermon Series: Life Choices
16. Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego answered the king, “O Nebuchadnezzar, we are not careful to answer you in this matter.”
17. “If it is so, our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the burning fiery furnace, and He will deliver us out of your hand, O king.”
18. “But if not, let it be known to you O king, that we will not serve your gods, nor worship the golden image which you have set up.”
Daniel 3:16-18
What Would You Do?
John Quinones hosts the TV show, “What Would You Do?” In that show, hidden cameras are used to record the reaction of people facing real life situations. The intent is to determine how people will respond to different life scenarios. Will people make the “right choice” based on the standards of society? How will they go about deciding what is the appropriate choice or reaction? Of course, the TV show uses actors that role-play the various scenarios and at the close of each segment, Mr. Quinones discusses the reactions with the participants. I am sure the goal of the program is to help people make decisions that align with ‘social norms.’ It would be wise to question whether those social norms align with God’s plan.
When Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego stood before King Nebuchadnezzar, there were no hidden cameras, and it was not a imaginary scenario. It was live and the decisions made by these Jewish leaders had placed their lives in jeopardy. Would they change their minds, or would they continue to stand for the right and honor God? If they chose to bow to the idol gods and the golden image, their lives would be spared from the fiery furnace; but they would have to live with the consequences of being unfaithful to God. At this point, I ask you and myself, what would we do if we were in that situation. Would we bow or would we be willing to burn?
Please remember, God places His followers in unusual situations not to destroy them, but to show Himself strong on their behalf. It is called a testimony. The testimony is always the outcome of a test. Most children of God would rather enjoy the blessing without the test. Of course, there is nothing wrong with God’s children expecting to be blessed, but it is unreasonable to think that blessings come without challenges. God allows challenges in life to grow believers in their faith. It is unreasonable to expect to go through life but never encounter a test. The testimony demands a test.
Being Ready to Give a Living Testimony?
God orchestrated a test for the three Hebrews by using Nebuchadnezzar’s ego to prompt him to build an idol in the plain of Dura. While Nebuchadnezzar thought it was all about him and what he believed, God was about to demonstrate His power through the lives of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego. We learn several things about a good testimony from their example. Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego answered the king, “O Nebuchadnezzar, we are not careful to answer you in this matter … If it is so, our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the burning fiery furnace, and He will deliver us out of your hand, O king.”
· Good testimonies begin with a choice to trust God.
· Good testimonies demand that we know something about God.
· Good testimonies depend on God’s power for deliverance.
The choice must be about God. I am quite sure that the three Hebrews did not wake up each day and think of ways they could put their lives in peril. Yet, they were wise men that knew what was right. They knew their boundaries as leaders appointed in the court of the king. They were faithful in the execution of their job duties. Yet, when it came to God, they made it clear that they would stand up for their faith. They did not select days of the week to be faithful; nor did they select certain ceremonies to demonstrate their devotion to the Almighty. They were solid believers who chose to trust God no matter what.
Earlier in Israel’s history, Joshua challenged the people to choose who they would serve, whether they would serve other gods or serve the Lord. Then Joshua decided: as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord. Joshua 24:15. Sadly, many in Israel did not follow with that same commitment. Many in Israel compromised their faith for earthly gain. The outcome for the nation is that they were sent into captivity for not obeying the Word of the Lord. It is interesting that these three Hebrews (Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego) made a commitment to God that they would remain faithful to God despite their captivity. They gave a living testimony.
Not only did the three Hebrews commit to living the life of a true believer and not bow to idols, but they also knew something about God personally. A good testimony demands that we know something about God. Along with the testimony of their life, they gave a verbal witness to King Nebuchadnezzar. Our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the burning fiery furnace, and He will deliver us out of your hand, O king. Where did Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego learn such information about God? First, they knew their history and how they got to where they were. Amid the captivity, they knew God’s Word taught them that even if they were scattered to the far ends of the earth, if they would confess their sin, God was able to deliver. They also knew how many times God had delivered their people in the past. Even though God was angry with the nation for their disobedience, they knew if God delivered them once, He could do it again. Yes, they knew God. In their studies to be leaders and wise men, they knew that knowledge began and ended with God.
Not only did they know that God was able, but they also knew that God would deliver them from the fiery furnace and out of the king’s hand. Where did they get that information? How could they know such a thing if God had not spoken to them? Remember, the testimony is not about the one giving the testimony but about God. Somewhere in their prayers and meditations God spoke to them. Here is the point, if you get into trouble because of your faith in God, God will deliver you. The interesting thing is that the three Hebrews did not rely on deliverance alone, they were willing to take a stand for God and even die for their faith. They further explained to the king, “But if not, let it be known to you O king, that we will not serve your gods, nor worship the golden image which you have set up.” Yes, they were depending on God for deliverance, but they were also ready for the ultimate deliverance from this world. What greater testimony than to die as a witness of God’s Grace.
While we think that God shows us amazing things in delivering us from life’s perilous storms, deliverance into Heaven is far more amazing. One such example was an early Church leader named Stephen. The persecutors of the Church were upset at Stephen and decided to stone him to death. It was in dying that Stephen proclaimed his best testimony. I see the Heavens opened and the Son of Man standing at the Right Hand of God. Acts 7:56. What a testimony to die for Jesus! Hebrews 11:35 states, Women received their dead raised to life again: and others were tortured, not accepting deliverance; that they might obtain a better resurrection. While the three Hebrews knew that God could and would deliver, they were also willing to give their lives as a testimony to God’s glory. One way or the other, they were going to give a testimony.
Their reply so infuriated the king that he had the fiery furnaced fueled up to seven times its original temperature. Well, guess what happened? Normally, you would expect for some heroic interruptions. But that’s not how the story ends.
The Testimony Belongs to God
When we stand for God and give a living testimony, we have quite a bit of freedom to express God’s goodness. Some testify in a calm way. Some testify loudly to the goodness of God. Some testify to His mercy, while others testify of God’s love. Others might testify to God’s wisdom. We all have our ways of expressing God’s might and strength. The one thing we cannot do in our testimony is put God on a timer. We do not know how or when God will move, but we know that He will. You see, the testimony outcome belongs to God alone. Every testimony depends on God’s Power of deliverance. The three Hebrews gave the testimony, our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the burning fiery furnace, and He will deliver us out of your hand, O king. They may have known that God would do it, but they did not know how God would do it.
The amazing thing that happened that day was that the king realized he was not in control, but that God was in control. Nebuchadnezzar commanded that the furnace be heated to full force. He commanded that the three Hebrews be bound and thrown into the fire. That was the end of his power to command. That is when God showed up. God showed His control over the fire and His ownership over Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego. They belonged to God Almighty; they were not victims of the king’s wrath.
The text states that they were thrown into the fire bound, but Someone came and released them from their shackles. Not only that, but that Someone stayed in the fire with the three Hebrews. They walked around in the fire and the fire did not consume them. No one could do that but God. In astonishment, Nebuchadnezzar asked, “Did not we throw in three men bound into the fire.” The counsellors answered, “True O king.” He answered, “Lo I see four men loose, walking in the midst of the fire, and they are not hurt; and, And, AND, the fourth is like the Son of God.” Daniel 3:24-25.
Please note, the three Hebrews were giving their best testimony in three ways. First, they were standing up during their crisis. They were in the fiery furnace and yet they were standing. Second, they were standing and moving about. It is not enough just to stand, but to also keep moving. Do not allow the enemy to stop your forward progress in Christ. Keep moving toward the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus. Lastly, they were standing with the Lord. They had not abandoned their God and their God had not abandoned them. As Grandma would say, “He walks with me and talks with me and tells me that I am His own.”
The proof of the testimony is the impact it makes on someone else. The king was so awed by God’s deliverance that he made a second decree or national law. He blessed the God of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego. Then he proclaimed that no one in his kingdom should say anything against the God of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego … because there is no other God that can deliver like this. Daniel 3:29. That is the proof of the testimony; it is not just what you say, but what others say after they have seen God work in your life. To God be the Glory!
Perhaps you are in a fiery test right now. Please remember that God is with you in that test. Stand up in the test. Move forward in your faith. Lastly, recognize that God is not waiting on the other side of the fiery test – He is in the fire with you. Let him speak peace to your heart. You will get through it. Just stand.