THE STAND
(Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego)
SCRIPTURE: Daniel Chapters 2, 3; Joshua 23:6-10; Hebrews 10:23, 38; Colossians 1:21-23
You probably know the story of Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego and how God saved them while in the fiery furnace. Did you know that even though they were Jews, they had been set over the affairs of the province of Babylon? After Daniel interpreted King Nebuchadnezzar’s dream, King Nebuchadnezzar granted Daniel’s petition to select them for the position.
Soon thereafter, the King had a graven image built in Babylon and invited: all the satraps, the administrators, the governors, the counselors, the treasurers, the judges, the magistrates, and all the officials of the province to come to its dedication. During the dedication, a “herald” announced to the people a new decree that whenever the people would hear “the sound of the horn, flute, harp, lyre, and psaltery, in symphony with all kinds of music” that they must fall down and worship the golden image; and that whosoever does not do so would be cast immediately into the midst of a burning fiery furnace. Did you miss it? The King did not proclaim this law. His officials were cunning enough to push through this new edict on the day the graven image was dedicated.
As the story goes, Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego being Jews, would not honor this new decree. The King’s officials could not wait to report their disobedience to the King. King Nebuchadnezzar was furious and asked them if this report was true. Their answer: “O Nebuchadnezzar, we have no need to answer you in this matter. If that is the case, our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the burning 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.”
You know the ending to the story: The King had them bound and cast into the furnace, which was so “exceedingly hot” it killed the men who threw Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego into the furnace. The King, intensely watching the furnace, noticed not 3 men in the furnace, but FOUR “walking in the midst of the fire” – all not hurt. The King noted that the “form of the fourth is like the Son of God.”
King Nebuchadnezzar called for them to come out of the furnace – ALL untouched by the fire. Their hair was not singed or any of their clothes affected by the fire at all. God protected them because of their TRUST and OBEDIENCE. I wonder if this Scripture inspired the song “Trust and Obey?”
King Nebuchadnezzar then decreed that any people, nation, or language that speaks anything amiss against the God of Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego shall be cut in pieces and their homes burned down; because there is no other God who can deliver like this! In addition, the King once again promoted Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego in the province of Babylon.
God commands us to be very courageous, to keep his Commands, not to turn to the left or to the right; not to even “speak of other gods,” not to bow down to them, but to HOLD FAST to the Lord your God (see Joshua 23:6-10). How can we apply this today?
Are you willing to make a STAND like Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego? Are you willing to go against the flow to stand up for the TRUTH of God’s Word? Are you willing to take a STAND against false teaching, or is it easier to ignore it? Listen, you may be strong enough in God’s Word and knowledgeable enough about spiritual warfare to handle it; but what about those baby Christians who don’t know God’s Word, who don’t know enough of God’s Word to discern if any teaching is erroneous or not? It is up to YOU . . . yes YOU . . . and every one of us is YOU! You must be willing to take a STAND whenever faced with difficult situations. Don’t cower to the Enemy. Don’t pretend you don’t see it and that it doesn’t matter. Warriors quit laying down on the Battlefield and playing dead! STAND, like Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego, fully trusting in God, OBEDIENT to his Word and God will protect you, honor you and promote you just like he did Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego.
Don’t listen to the Enemy. He is NOT YOUR FRIEND. He wants to convince you that it’s okay if you’re not “sold out” for God. Hebrews 10:38 “Now the just shall live by faith; but if anyone draws back, My soul has no pleasure in him.” HARD TRUTH: God is not pleased with faithless, lukewarm Christians. See Revelation 3:16. See Colossians 1:21-23: We are CALLED TO PRESENT OURSELVES holy and blameless and ABOVE reproach in His sight. WE are called – not God. Don’t be caught being less than what God has called you to.
“Let us hold fast the confession of our hope WITHOUT WAVERING, for He who promised is faithful.” Hebrews 10:23
If you are guilty of stunted growth/lack of faith, follow these steps for RESTORATION:
​
1) Recognize (admit) the sin;
2) Take responsibility and Repent for the action (to God and others);
3) Renounce the sin as dead works;
4) Remove the stronghold/evil spirit by commanding it leave in Jesus’ Name, shut the spiritual
door that was opened, sealing with the Blood of Jesus; and
5) Resist (DON'T DO IT AGAIN) so the door is not opened again!
Rejoice in your freedom and, from what you have learned, restore others to wholeness. Amen!!
Standing “Alone” Before Our Captain
Trusting and Obeying His Word,
Delann Conrad
​
​