They trusted in Him

They trusted in Him

Scripture:

Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego replied to him, “King Nebuchadnezzar, we do not need to defend ourselves before you in this matter. If we are thrown into the blazing furnace, the God we serve is able to deliver us from it, and he will deliver us from Your Majesty’s hand. But even if he does not, we want you to know, Your Majesty, that we will not serve your gods or worship the image of gold you have set up.” Daniel 3:16-18

Then Nebuchadnezzar said, “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 serve or worship any god except their own God. Daniel 3:28

Observation: In Daniel Chapter 3, we see yet another great incident. This time, the King, perhaps spurred on from the dream has ordered a great statue of gold to be built and instructed everyone in his kingdom to bow down to it. Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego dramatically refuse and are thrown into a fiery furnace. Amazingly, as they prophesied to the king, God indeed delivered them and not a hair on their head was singed. In yet another great moment, the God of Heaven turned a terrible, life-threatening situation into a time of great reward for His servants.

In the first passage, we see the courageous reply of the three young men, and there is much we can learn from it. Firstly, they stated that they did not need to defend themselves before him. They knew that they answered to God first, and anyone else, no matter how powerful was secondary. Ultimately, it is God who judges us, not man. Likewise, we too are not to judge others, as Jesus taught “Do not judge, or you too will be judged. Do not condemn or you will be condemned”. Each man will answer ultimately to God for himself. 

Secondly, they stated that God is able to save and that He would save them. The first step is believing that God can do it. He can quiet the storm, He can walk on water, He can cause the seas to part. The second step is believing that God will do it. It is easy to believe that God can do anything but to believe that He will look down upon us and do something for us is a different matter. However, as we grow to know God more, we will realize that though God is great and we are so minute when compared with the whole great universe, He is a loving, personal God who listens to even a little child who calls out to Him. When little children ask for something, they do so honestly and expectantly, and that is how we need to learn to be with God. As the Scripture says “unless you become like little children, you will no wise enter the kingdom of God”.

Thirdly, they stated that they were willing to die in the flames rather than betray God. Ingrained in their belief was that this life is only temporary, and there is a far greater reward after death for those who are faithful to God. They had an eternal viewpoint rather than an earthly, temporal viewpoint. Only with that view will we be willing to die for our faith if required to do so.

In the second passage, we see how the king was amazed at the great loyalty of the three young men to their God, and the miraculous way that God rescued them. Their faithfulness had opened the way for the king and indeed all the people to have a new found awe and respect for their mighty God!

The key point in all this is that they trusted God. In life or in death, they trusted Him and we too need to learn to do that too.

Application: Reaffirm that we are first answerable to God before all others in all we do. Declare that God is able to do all things and praise God for being willing to help us despite His infinite greatness. Praise God that He is a loving, personal God, that listens to those who call out to Him, and blessed them with His presence and His providence. Choose to view the world from an eternal viewpoint, recognizing that we are only strangers in this world and our destiny is in a far, better place. Pray that we will always, always trust Him.

Prayer: Our Father in Heaven, we thank You that You are great, above all the heavens and the earth, and You are the ultimate judge of all mankind. Praise You, Lord, for looking down on the sons of man, to reach out to those who seek You. Help me always have an eternal perspective, like Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego, who chose to honor You even in the face of death. Let my heart always trust You, Lord Jesus. In You only I put my trust. In Jesus name, Amen.