“Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego answered and said to the king, ‘O Nebuchadnezzar, we have no need to answer you in this matter. If that is our case, our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the fiery furnace, and He will deliver us from your hand, O king. But if not, let it be known to you, O king, that we do not serve your gods, nor will we worship the gold image which you have set up’” Daniel 3:16-18
What a remarkable profession of faith was given by these three children of God on this occasion. Standing before the flames of the fiery furnace and with Nebuchadnezzar, furious that they had not bowed down to the image he made of himself, they boldly and publicly expressed supreme confidence in their God.
Note how they didn’t request a single moment of time to deliberate over the matter. They didn’t stop to weigh their options. They unhesitatingly gave their answer. These were seasoned, mature men of God who put the will and glory of God above their personal safety. They knew at this critical moment that any fear they displayed would bring God’s authority, power, wisdom, goodness, grace and faithfulness into question. By responding immediately, they showed unconditional and unquestioning trust in their God, the one true living God.
But note further that they were submissive to the possibility that God might not deliver them from the flames. They were essentially saying that they and their faith wouldn’t fall to pieces if in fact they were to suffer a painful and fiery death in the flaming furnace. This too they saw as coming under God’s sovereign will for their good and His glory. In either case, they were determined to be faithful to their God until the end.
We don’t know now what level of persecution may come to God’s people in America in the days ahead. But at present, I’m not aware of any Christians in America who have been faced with the level of persecution and testing that Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego endured, but indeed, how many professing Christians have faltered in their confession for much less? All Christians are called to “hold fast the confidence and the rejoicing of hope firm to the end” (Hebrews 3:6). This is often called the perseverance of the saints and is the mark of all true Christians.
The puritan John Owen wrote, “Now, when persecution and trouble arise… a trial is made whether we indeed believe and put our trust in what we profess of God, and whether we value his promises above all present things whatever.” We profess that God will never leave us or forsake us (Hebrews 13:5), that He does all things for us (Psalm 56:9), and that all things work for our good (Romans 8:28), and it these difficulties which put these promises of God and ultimately His character on display as He shows Himself true to His word. As such, these “testings” are in fact a privilege granted to us for the purpose of glorifying God and for our sanctification. The Apostle Paul wrote, “For to you it has been granted on behalf of Christ, not only to believe in Him, but also to suffer for His sake” (Philippians 1:29).
When we shrink back in our confession for fear of men, or are overly anxious about what tomorrow will bring, we are actually showing a lack of trust in God’s promises and in His very character. In some cases, it shows an outright ignorance of God and what He’s promised. But this knowledge of God is not only what’s in the head, it’s also there for the believer by faith to act on it, to “prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God” (Romans 12:2). This is how trust is worked in the mind and heart of the believer. The Christian sees how acting on God’s precepts always works out best, and faith is strengthened and the fruit of the Spirit emerges for the next opportunity to obey. This was the key to Shadrach’s, Meshach’s, and Abednego’s confidence. They had seen how God had proved Himself over and over, and were willing to trust Him always and absolutely, no matter what happened.
Are you growing in your knowledge of God as you absorb, believe and act on what He has revealed in His word? Have you made this a daily concern by reading, meditating and praying over Scripture? Are you learning to trust God regardless of circumstances? Do you really believe that He has your best interests at heart? Hasn’t He already proved that to you by delivering you from your greatest danger and peril which would have been to be eternally lost? Paul wrote, “He who did not spare His own Son, but delivered Him up for us all, how shall He not with Him also freely give us all things?” (Romans 8:32)
May God give you the grace to grow in your unquestioning trust in the great and awesome God who gave His Son for you.
“You will keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on You, because he trusts in You. Trust in the Lord forever, for in Yah, the Lord, is everlasting strength” (Isaiah 26:3-4).
What a remarkable profession of faith was given by these three children of God on this occasion. Standing before the flames of the fiery furnace and with Nebuchadnezzar, furious that they had not bowed down to the image he made of himself, they boldly and publicly expressed supreme confidence in their God.
Note how they didn’t request a single moment of time to deliberate over the matter. They didn’t stop to weigh their options. They unhesitatingly gave their answer. These were seasoned, mature men of God who put the will and glory of God above their personal safety. They knew at this critical moment that any fear they displayed would bring God’s authority, power, wisdom, goodness, grace and faithfulness into question. By responding immediately, they showed unconditional and unquestioning trust in their God, the one true living God.
But note further that they were submissive to the possibility that God might not deliver them from the flames. They were essentially saying that they and their faith wouldn’t fall to pieces if in fact they were to suffer a painful and fiery death in the flaming furnace. This too they saw as coming under God’s sovereign will for their good and His glory. In either case, they were determined to be faithful to their God until the end.
We don’t know now what level of persecution may come to God’s people in America in the days ahead. But at present, I’m not aware of any Christians in America who have been faced with the level of persecution and testing that Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego endured, but indeed, how many professing Christians have faltered in their confession for much less? All Christians are called to “hold fast the confidence and the rejoicing of hope firm to the end” (Hebrews 3:6). This is often called the perseverance of the saints and is the mark of all true Christians.
The puritan John Owen wrote, “Now, when persecution and trouble arise… a trial is made whether we indeed believe and put our trust in what we profess of God, and whether we value his promises above all present things whatever.” We profess that God will never leave us or forsake us (Hebrews 13:5), that He does all things for us (Psalm 56:9), and that all things work for our good (Romans 8:28), and it these difficulties which put these promises of God and ultimately His character on display as He shows Himself true to His word. As such, these “testings” are in fact a privilege granted to us for the purpose of glorifying God and for our sanctification. The Apostle Paul wrote, “For to you it has been granted on behalf of Christ, not only to believe in Him, but also to suffer for His sake” (Philippians 1:29).
When we shrink back in our confession for fear of men, or are overly anxious about what tomorrow will bring, we are actually showing a lack of trust in God’s promises and in His very character. In some cases, it shows an outright ignorance of God and what He’s promised. But this knowledge of God is not only what’s in the head, it’s also there for the believer by faith to act on it, to “prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God” (Romans 12:2). This is how trust is worked in the mind and heart of the believer. The Christian sees how acting on God’s precepts always works out best, and faith is strengthened and the fruit of the Spirit emerges for the next opportunity to obey. This was the key to Shadrach’s, Meshach’s, and Abednego’s confidence. They had seen how God had proved Himself over and over, and were willing to trust Him always and absolutely, no matter what happened.
Are you growing in your knowledge of God as you absorb, believe and act on what He has revealed in His word? Have you made this a daily concern by reading, meditating and praying over Scripture? Are you learning to trust God regardless of circumstances? Do you really believe that He has your best interests at heart? Hasn’t He already proved that to you by delivering you from your greatest danger and peril which would have been to be eternally lost? Paul wrote, “He who did not spare His own Son, but delivered Him up for us all, how shall He not with Him also freely give us all things?” (Romans 8:32)
May God give you the grace to grow in your unquestioning trust in the great and awesome God who gave His Son for you.
“You will keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on You, because he trusts in You. Trust in the Lord forever, for in Yah, the Lord, is everlasting strength” (Isaiah 26:3-4).