It’s starting to feel like we’re living in Babylon, isn’t it? There is a battle raging in the heavens over our worship, and we’re feeling it more intensely these days.
Of course, the attack against God and God’s people is nothing new—it’s an age-old battle—but the question remains: will we serve the gods of this world or the living God?
Recently, I’ve been thinking about the three young men who refused to bow down to the golden statue of King Nebuchadnezzar. Do you remember the story? It’s recorded in the third chapter of Daniel and is still providing us with lasting lessons about the power of God and our place in His world.
Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego were subjects in Babylon, but along with Daniel, they were determined only to serve the living God—the Lord of Heaven’s Armies. King Nebuchadnezzar hated them for it, as he wanted their worship. And so, three charges were brought against the young men:
1. They paid no attention to the king and his commands
2. They did not serve the gods of Babylon
3. They refused to worship the golden statue which the king himself had erected.
The penalty for defying the king severe: to be thrown into a fiery furnace. Nebuchadnezzar’s pride was fueling what would turn out to be an epic story of God’s ability to deliver His people.
Quiet your heart with me for a moment and consider the profound courage these three had in responding to the king:
‘Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego answered King Nebuchadnezzar,
“Your threat means nothing to us. If you throw us in the fire, the God we serve can rescue us from your roaring furnace and anything else you might cook up, O king. But even if he doesn’t, it wouldn’t make a bit of difference, O king. We still wouldn’t serve your gods or worship the gold statue you set up.”
Daniel 3:16-18
Their refusal to worship another god infuriated the king, and he had the furnace heated seven times hotter than normal!
Oh how we need more men and women who will trust God this way! Their unwavering commitment to the God of the Bible showed itself in bold confidence as they did what they knew was right and then trusted that God would take care of them.
Because Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego trusted God, the power of God was revealed to everyone who was there. I can imagine that it astonished unbelievers and reassured those who did believe.
Nebuchadnezzar was astonished that the fire did not consume the men, and even more amazed because he saw not three, but a fourth person in the flames! “Look!” he answered, “I see four men loose, walking in the midst of the fire; and they are not hurt, and the form of the fourth is like the Son of God” (Daniel 3:25).
The Hebrew number for four is Dalet, it means a door. The Bible teaches that Jesus is the Door, the way to our deliverance. We may not always feel the Lord’s presence the Lord when we are suffering, but rest assured: Satan sees the Lord by your side.
He will never leave you or forsake you!
Does your heart need some reassurance today? No matter what you’re facing, you can have confidence that God has the power to affect the outcome. Don’t be afraid! God always shows up. Rarely early, never late.