“…be it known to you…”
Daniel 3: 16-18 (ESV)
16 Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego answered and said to the king, “O Nebuchadnezzar, we have no need to answer you in this matter. 17 If this be 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, be it known to you, O king, that we will not serve your gods or worship the golden image that you have set up.”
The first thing that jumped out at me was the overall confidence and firmness of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego’s words...FAITH. They’re so confident in the Lord…and who they are…that they even tell the king that we don’t even need to talk with you about this…the Message has it as “Your threat means nothing to us.” Then they give testimony to just who God is…that He could certainly save them or He may not, either way… “be it known to you, O king,”
They took a stand…a stand of faith..a stand of obedience to the one true God…no matter what the consequences…” he will deliver us”!
I don’t think that many of us will face being thrown into a furnace…but how often do we let things slide by in our life that compromises our faith…our relationship with the one true God. When have I been called to be obedient…but chose to go my own way? Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego could have just gone ahead and bowed down to the graven image…presumably save their hide…but then, they would have missed out on being a part of His will. I don’t want to miss out what He has planned…how about you?
May we all walk through the rest our days with faith and obedience like Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego.
Sure would like to hear your thoughts!
Blessings to You & Yours!
jim