LIFE’S FURNACES
Daniel
3:16-18
Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego replied to the king… “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…
that we will not serve your gods or worship the image of gold you have set up.”
Nebuchadnezzar II excelled
at grandiose expressions of anger, beauty, and pride. He was the unquestionable
King of the Babylonian Empire. He had destroyed the majestic temple and nation
of Israel. He built the wondrous Hanging Gardens of Babylon and set up a nine-story
image of gold to his god, Nabu. He commanded that everyone worship Nabu. When
three Hebrew young men from Judah refused to bow down to the statue as ordered,
the King became enraged and his authority was tested. He ordered them thrown
into a furnace of fire. He sat to watch the execution of those who dared
disobey him. But when the Lord Jehovah intervened to miraculously save the
boys, the King quickly made a public profession of praise to the God of the
young men who were delivered from the flames.
At first glance, it might
sound like Nebuchadnezzar was convinced by the overwhelming evidence and
converted from devotion to Nabu to Jehovah. But think about him. What other
choice did he have? The entire kingdom saw what happened. How else could he
save face? Had he tried to make an excuse for Nabu, he would appear weak to his
people. He could be dethroned along with Nabu, replaced by Jehovah and these
three young men. He did acknowledge God. However, his change of allegiance was
motivated by circumstances, his fear of man and the threat of losing all that
he had worked so hard to achieve in his world. He wanted to be sure he was on
the winning side of life.
Shadrach, Meshach and
Abednego reveal a true allegiance and trust in God. Our devotion to Jesus
Christ should mirror theirs. Despite the risks, the consequences and the jeers
from the world around us, we are to hold on to the God we serve. Christ is our
evidence that our God is able to save us from eternal death and all the
temptations the world can send our way.