Growing up in church, the Old Testament story of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego was told often in Sunday morning Bible class on little felt boards. The teachers would move the three paper characters into the blazing furnace, and our little eyes would widen with excitement and anticipation of what was going to happen next.
In Daniel Chapter 3, the popular children’s Bible story of King Nebuchadnezzar, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego is told in dramatic fashion. King Nebuchadnezzar had made an image of gold in his likeness and had commanded, “Nations and peoples of every language, this is what you are commanded to do: As soon as you hear the sound of the horn, flute, zither, lyre, harp, pipe, and all kinds of music, you must fall down and worship the image of gold that has been set up. Whoever does not fall down and worship will immediately be thrown into a blazing furnace.” (Daniel 3:4-6)
Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego paid no attention to King Nebuchadnezzar. They did not serve any of the gods of Babylon, and they did not worship the image of the king when it was put before the people. This made Nebuchadnezzar furious, and he summoned the three men before him. He asked them why they did not worship his many gods and why they did not worship the image of him. He asked, “What god will be able to rescue you from my hand?” (Daniel 3:15)
These three men knew that the God they served was the one true God. They 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)
We know the end of the story, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego did not burn in the furnace. In fact, when they were in the furnace, a fourth man appeared which King Nebuchadnezzar said looked like the son of God (Daniel 3:25). They were called out of the furnace and Nebuchadnezzar declared praise to the God of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego. He declared that anyone saying anything against their God be destroyed. He knew that these three men truly served the one, true God.
These three men had such strong faith that even in the face of death they knew that God was still good. They were so bold that they knew if God did not answer their prayers and save them from the furnace, their faith was true. In Daniel 3:18, they answered the King, “and if not, He is still good.” Their answer to whether or not their God would save them was firm and noble. They did not fear anything in this life. Faith has no room for fear, and they boldly stood before one of the most feared kings in history and declared their belief in God.
They did not know whether God would deliver them or allow them to die in the flames. They knew, however, that He was able to deliver them. They were determined to be faithful to God, no matter what. Even if that meant death, they trusted the Lord with the outcome.
When we are faced with the horrible things that happen to us in this life, are you bold enough to say, “and if not, He is still good.” Just like Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, we can have the same boldness
of faith. We must have the same boldness of faith. God is always with us and will not abandon us. We must not waiver in our love for God, and we must always be willing to show our faith in times of trouble. By standing firm in our faith, it will bring others to know God, just like King Nebuchadnezzar.
This week’s recipe is an easy, delicious, and nutritious chicken and cauliflower soup. It will be perfect for this fall and is sure to be a crowd pleaser. I hope you enjoy it as much as my family.
“Now to Him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to His power that is at work within us, to Him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen.” (Ephesians 3:20)
December 20, 2024
