Daniel chapter three brings me to the old Sunday School classic of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego being thrown into the fiery furnace for not bowing down to the king's idol on command. I'm reminded this morning that even though it's a common story, it's easy to forget the details. I love how God's Word comes alive if we just spend some time looking and meditating!
As I read verse one this morning, I just shook my head. Neb just witnessed the power of God revealed through Daniel in chapter two and what does he do? He builds a huge image of gold for him and the people to worship. At this point, he just didn't get it. Really, Neb? Really? Daniel gives credit to God Almighty for revealing the dream to you and your next step is to command all the people to worship an idol or be killed? Neb seemed to me to be a hot tempered, thick headed man with apparent short term memory loss!
How often are we just like Neb? God does an amazing thing in our life, and we turn around and deny him. We forget his power, and we do as we want. It always seems to me that it's harder to have a deep walk with the Lord when things are going good in your life vs when trials or tragedy is present. Some people may think the opposite. But the bottom line is that our walk with the Lord should be consistent. We shouldn't have short term memory loss of how He's worked!
I love the resolve of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego when they hear of the king's decree and the pending doom of the blazing furnace. "...the God we serve is able to save us from it, and He will rescue us from your hand, O king. But even if He does not, we want you to know, O king, that we will not serve your gods or worship the image of gold you have set up." (verses 17-18)
You see, they had faith. They knew God could rescue them, but even if that was not God's plan, they had resolve to not bend their convictions. That's faith in action. Christians all over Asia and other parts of the world put this same faith in action. They know that can be executed for their belief in God, but the fear of death doesn't stop them. I want resolve like these three. I want to be able to firmly say with conviction that my God can rescue me, but if he doesn't, I'm not bending my convictions. I will stand firm for Christ, even if it means my life is in danger.
I think our character can be judged in part by who we hang out with. Although Daniel wasn't one of the three that were thrown into the furnace, it's apparent his three friends had just as much faith and character as he did. They knew Who the believed in and didn't care who found out about it. Oh that my faith would be as strong as these guys!
What do you think happened when Neb finally released them from the furnace? Can you imagine how much their faith increased through that experience? Sometimes we have to go through the fire to increase our faith, too. Maybe it's financial problems, a lost job, health issues... But whatever the fire is, God brings it for a purpose. I had a friend in high school who sang this song once. I think I've listed the words before in this blog, but it's worth noting again. It's actually one of my favorite songs to hum when I am going through tough times. The melody is simple and beautiful, but the words ring true in my heart.
The FIre
I've been through the fire that has deepened my desire
To know the living God more and more.
It hasn't been much fun, but the work that it has done
Has really made it worth the hurt.
You see, sometimes we need the hard times
To bring us to our knees
Otherwise, we do as we please
And never heed Him
But He always knows what's best
And it's when we are distressed
That we really come to know God as He is.
Now, good old Neb didn't really put his faith in trust in the Lord after seeing this awesome display of God's power. But he did actually at least acknowledge God! Neb says in verse 28, "Praise be to the God of Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego, who has sent his angel and rescued his servants! They trusted in him and defied the king's command and were willing to give up their lives rather than server or worship any god except their own God." He went on to decree that anyone who speaks against their God will...yep, you guessed it...be cut into pieces and their houses turned into piles of rubble. (The exact same threat he made to the magicians and sorcerers for not being able to tell them and interpret his dream!)
Will Neb ever learn? Will we ever learn? Will I ever learn? Lord, don't let me have short-term memory loss like King Neb. If it means I have to go through the fire to increase my faith, that's what I want, Lord. Deepen my desire to know You as You are.
---Beth Banfill
www.GodandMe2theMax.com