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Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego replied to the king, “O 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 save us from it, and he will rescue us from your hand, O king. But even if he does not, we want you to know, O king, that we will not serve your gods or worship the image of gold you have set up.” Daniel 3:16-19
We are all familiar with the incident where the three Jewish youth Shadrach, Mesach and Abednega refused to bow down to the statue king Nebuchadnezzar had set up. If you would like to read the entire context here's the link to the chapter.
For our discussion we will focus on the underlined text: "But even if he does not". I am sure these were not the only youth brought into captivity. There were numerous others perhaps. But we learn about these men as they were the only ones that stood against the king's order and refused to defile their God by bowing down to a mere man made statue.
Someone might justify that bowing down doesn't really mean the others worshipped the image. These three men knew better, they knew bowing down before the image meant defiling the name of the Lord and chose not to. They had faith that they would be saved by their true Living God even if they were thrown into the burning fire. And they were ready to die in case it was not in God's plan to rescue them from the fire.
Some might argue it shows there was some doubt in their mind about their deliverance or that their faith was a bit shaky. But to me it shows their strong deeper faith. Faith does not mean to believe everything will plan out according to our will but to know that all things happen for good for those who love Him, according to His will.
Is that how strong our faith is also? Can we say the same?
Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego replied to the king, “O 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 save us from it, and he will rescue us from your hand, O king. But even if he does not, we want you to know, O king, that we will not serve your gods or worship the image of gold you have set up.” Daniel 3:16-19
We are all familiar with the incident where the three Jewish youth Shadrach, Mesach and Abednega refused to bow down to the statue king Nebuchadnezzar had set up. If you would like to read the entire context here's the link to the chapter.
For our discussion we will focus on the underlined text: "But even if he does not". I am sure these were not the only youth brought into captivity. There were numerous others perhaps. But we learn about these men as they were the only ones that stood against the king's order and refused to defile their God by bowing down to a mere man made statue.
Someone might justify that bowing down doesn't really mean the others worshipped the image. These three men knew better, they knew bowing down before the image meant defiling the name of the Lord and chose not to. They had faith that they would be saved by their true Living God even if they were thrown into the burning fire. And they were ready to die in case it was not in God's plan to rescue them from the fire.
Some might argue it shows there was some doubt in their mind about their deliverance or that their faith was a bit shaky. But to me it shows their strong deeper faith. Faith does not mean to believe everything will plan out according to our will but to know that all things happen for good for those who love Him, according to His will.
Is that how strong our faith is also? Can we say the same?
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So, how did you enjoy your coffee with Jesus? Care to share?