“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 us.”
(Daniel 3:17-18)
Do you remember the first time you jumped into a swimming pool as a child? Your mom or dad was probably in the water, encouraging you, “Jump. I’m right here. I’ll catch you. You can do it. Jump!” Even though you were terrified, you mustered up all the courage you could and finally jumped into the pool.
Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego are models of courage. Even though their hearts were fearful, they jumped right into the fiery furnace. Okay, they didn’t actually jump in; they were thrown in. But still, they faced the fiery furnace with incredible courage.
The key words in the verses above are found in verse 18 – “But even if he does not…” They knew God could save them from the fiery furnace. They knew God could rescue them from the king’s wrath. But there were no guarantees that God would deliver them. Still, they did not back down. They refused to compromise their convictions. They stood tall while everyone else bowed. They courageously faced the consequences of their faith. Courage is faith in action.
You and I may never be asked to make a life-or-death decision for our faith. But, taking a stand on your convictions could cost you a good grade in school. It may cost you a promotion or a raise at work. It could even cost you a job. And it could cost alienation from your family or friends.
God certainly can save you from evil consequences. God certainly can bring something good out of bad circumstances. And He often does. But, there are no guarantees that He always will in this life.
Are you willing to stand tall while others around you are bowing to the idols of our culture? Are you willing to say, “But even if He does not…”? Are you willing to jump into the pool (or the fiery furnace) in the face of fear and stand up for Jesus Christ? Be courageous. Be a modern-day hero of faith?
Dear Heavenly Father,
Your Word is filled with courageous heroes!
When I am pressured by our culture to compromise my faith,
give me the courage to stand tall for Jesus Christ.
May I be counted as a modern-day hero of the faith!
In Jesus’ name, Amen!
