I don't think that I would. But I often do. I read the story of the three Hebrew children just now. You talk about courage. These guys were amazing. They were given one chance to bow. It would have been easy to double over and avoid the hassle of being toasted. They didn't.
They were then brought before one of the wickedest and most fierce kings that history has ever produced. Nose to nose with Nebuchadnezzar they basically say, “We don't even have to answer your questions! Our God is able to deliver us. But even if He doesn't we will not bow!”
That was the definitive moment. The Bible says that all of a sudden Nebuchadnezzar’s visage changed. Can't you see it. He became a raving maniac. He ruled the world and what he said was what happened. He was an egomaniac. He had been told that the kingdom in his dream represented by the Gold head was his and it had literally gone to his head. Now he wanted everyone to bow in admission to the fact.
These men had made up their minds that they would not bow. It was not a spur of the moment decision. It was a decision made before the fact. They would not be moved.
Notice that they gave God an “out”. If He didn't save them they still wouldn't worship. If God had let them be burned up their decision was made.
You and I find ourselves in quick decision moments where we end up making the wrong move. We haven't decided ahead of time what we will do in a certain circumstance. Thus when the crucial moment comes we fail.
Not these heros. They were prepared. Even though they had every reason to abandon God. Their lives had been “destroyed” in captivity. Had their parents been murdered? Where were aunts, uncles, brothers and sisters. Why had God allowed their country to be destroyed. We know but did they? Why were they in this foreign country being commanded to worship a false God by a heathen king? Why?
Was God real? If He was why hadn't he protected these boys and their heritage? Why had he let their world come apart?
If these men had this type of question we don't read about it in Daniel’s account. We only read that they stood. When all around them crumbled they stood.
They stand until today as a transfixed trio of heroes whose bravery brings tears to our eyes and encouragement to our hearts. Though from a different time, epoch and world, they make us proud. We want to be like them, brave in the storm, steady in trial and unmovable even though threatened with death.
So, what does it take to be like Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego or Hananiah, Mishael and Azariah? How can we stand up in high pressure situations. What do we do to stand out for our God in this pagan world?
Here are some ideas. These three had some heritage. We read about it in Daniel chapter one.
They were, “of the king’s seed, and princes”. This part of their heritage they could not help or change. This part was God’s doing. They had no choice about who their parents were.
They were, “Children in whom was no blemish, but well favoured”. They could not help this aspect of their being either. They were good looking young men. They had no blemishes, were well endowed, handsome and young. These are so often the coveted qualities of life, youth and good looks. These young men had all but their freedom.
They were, “skilful in all wisdom, and cunning in knowledge, and understanding science”. They had brains and knew how to use them. This is an interesting combination of phrases. What does it all mean? One version has it as “Make sure they are well versed in every branch of learning, are gifted with knowledge and good judgment.”
They had everything to live for and then came the kidnapping. Their world was over. It would never be the same. Why should they follow a God who had allowed this to happen to them?
Because they were skilful in all wisdom. They knew God. They were the chosen. They knew that life will have its ups and downs. It will have its ins and outs. They were fanatics. They were religious and relational. They knew who and whose they were. Nothing could change that. Not their circumstances, their location nor their seeming total lack of control.
The only control they had was over what they would do in the magnifying glass of trial. Under close inspection how would they appear? What would they do when there was no way out.
They would do what they knew to do. They would do what was wise and right. They would obey their God and let Him prove that they had made the correct decision. That is exactly what they did and they live in our hearts even now.
They were then brought before one of the wickedest and most fierce kings that history has ever produced. Nose to nose with Nebuchadnezzar they basically say, “We don't even have to answer your questions! Our God is able to deliver us. But even if He doesn't we will not bow!”
That was the definitive moment. The Bible says that all of a sudden Nebuchadnezzar’s visage changed. Can't you see it. He became a raving maniac. He ruled the world and what he said was what happened. He was an egomaniac. He had been told that the kingdom in his dream represented by the Gold head was his and it had literally gone to his head. Now he wanted everyone to bow in admission to the fact.
These men had made up their minds that they would not bow. It was not a spur of the moment decision. It was a decision made before the fact. They would not be moved.
Notice that they gave God an “out”. If He didn't save them they still wouldn't worship. If God had let them be burned up their decision was made.
You and I find ourselves in quick decision moments where we end up making the wrong move. We haven't decided ahead of time what we will do in a certain circumstance. Thus when the crucial moment comes we fail.
Not these heros. They were prepared. Even though they had every reason to abandon God. Their lives had been “destroyed” in captivity. Had their parents been murdered? Where were aunts, uncles, brothers and sisters. Why had God allowed their country to be destroyed. We know but did they? Why were they in this foreign country being commanded to worship a false God by a heathen king? Why?
Was God real? If He was why hadn't he protected these boys and their heritage? Why had he let their world come apart?
If these men had this type of question we don't read about it in Daniel’s account. We only read that they stood. When all around them crumbled they stood.
They stand until today as a transfixed trio of heroes whose bravery brings tears to our eyes and encouragement to our hearts. Though from a different time, epoch and world, they make us proud. We want to be like them, brave in the storm, steady in trial and unmovable even though threatened with death.
So, what does it take to be like Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego or Hananiah, Mishael and Azariah? How can we stand up in high pressure situations. What do we do to stand out for our God in this pagan world?
Here are some ideas. These three had some heritage. We read about it in Daniel chapter one.
3 And the king spake unto Ashpenaz the master of his eunuchs, that he should bring certain of the children of Israel, and of the king’s seed, and of the princes; 4 Children in whom was no blemish, but well favoured, and skilful in all wisdom, and cunning in knowledge, and understanding science, and such as had ability in them to stand in the king’s palace, and whom they might teach the learning and the tongue of the Chaldeans. 5 And the king appointed them a daily provision of the king’s meat, and of the wine which he drank: so nourishing them three years, that at the end thereof they might stand before the king. 6 Now among these were of the children of Judah, Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah.
They were, “of the king’s seed, and princes”. This part of their heritage they could not help or change. This part was God’s doing. They had no choice about who their parents were.
They were, “Children in whom was no blemish, but well favoured”. They could not help this aspect of their being either. They were good looking young men. They had no blemishes, were well endowed, handsome and young. These are so often the coveted qualities of life, youth and good looks. These young men had all but their freedom.
They were, “skilful in all wisdom, and cunning in knowledge, and understanding science”. They had brains and knew how to use them. This is an interesting combination of phrases. What does it all mean? One version has it as “Make sure they are well versed in every branch of learning, are gifted with knowledge and good judgment.”
They had everything to live for and then came the kidnapping. Their world was over. It would never be the same. Why should they follow a God who had allowed this to happen to them?
Because they were skilful in all wisdom. They knew God. They were the chosen. They knew that life will have its ups and downs. It will have its ins and outs. They were fanatics. They were religious and relational. They knew who and whose they were. Nothing could change that. Not their circumstances, their location nor their seeming total lack of control.
The only control they had was over what they would do in the magnifying glass of trial. Under close inspection how would they appear? What would they do when there was no way out.
They would do what they knew to do. They would do what was wise and right. They would obey their God and let Him prove that they had made the correct decision. That is exactly what they did and they live in our hearts even now.
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