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The three boys stood uprightly. Everyone’s head was down, but not theirs. It was not as if they did not know the implication of their actions, they did. It was just that, they preferred death to this. It did not take long for them to be noticed. They were immediately fished out from the crowd and given one more chance to right their wrong. The order went up again and everyone fell on their faces, but still, they stood upright defiantly.
That was the last straw. The king gave the command and they were bundled up. They did not struggle, there was no point. They knew death had come and they had accepted that fact. Even as they were thrown in they calmly received the hurt they knew would follow.
But it did not come. They were in the flames alright but suddenly they were not alone. The One whom they had trusted and stood up for, was right there with them. He did not just save them from a distance, He came to make sure everyone understood He was responsible for their survival!
This story of Shedrach, Meshach and Abednego is the perfect example of what happens when you do not compromise your faith. The amazing fact about this story is the fact that they were willing to give their life for God without compromising their faith.
One thing to note is, nothing like this had ever happened before. They were in a strange land going through trials and temptation, they were suffering from offending this God they were standing up for. There was no guarantee He was going to save them. But still, they knew what was right and they stood for it.
I am pretty sure they were given names. They surely were not the only Israelites in that gathering. It was just a simple act of bowing their heads to an image. They could always ask for forgiveness afterwards, after all, they were serving a Merciful God.
This is how must of us think. When we are faced with something that tells us to compromise our faith, we easily give in. We do this for so many reasons, including because we do not want to loose our jobs, we do not want to be given names, or just plainly to save face.
Times without number, we make the compromises over and over again. He is a Merciful God after all, He would understand. This was not what those Hebrew boys thought. They were willing to give their lives if that was what it took to stand by God. And then what was God’s response?
He answered and said, Lo, I see four men loose, walking in the midst of the fire, and they have no hurt; and the form of the fourth is like the Son of God. Dan 3:25
He came down Himself to save them.
Even the king recognized the fact that they were not ordinary. The way he addressed them changed.
Then Nebuchadnezzar came near to the mouth of the burning fiery furnace, and spake, and said, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, ye servants of the most high God, come forth, and come hither. Then Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, came forth of the midst of the fire.
Dan 3:26
The name and power of this Most High God was recognized because these three guys took a stand and God sure did not leave them alone.
When next you are faced with a situation that requires you to make compromises and go against the will of God. Think of these Hebrew boys, think about how God stepped in for them and how He would do the same for you… Think on this and have a lovely Sunday!