Daniel 3:13-30
Verses 17-18 “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.”
Because God had saved the lives of all the magicians, Daniel and his friends continued in their positions. The king then decided to make a statue and not just any statue. It as ninety feet high and nine feet wide. The whole region could likely see this gold giant standing tall in the plain of Dura. Even after having Daniel tell him what the dream was and that it was God who had interpreted it, the king didn’t understand the truth about who Daniel said God was.
Either the king wasn’t as impressed by the dream knowledge as he should have been or he was just wanting a God he could see. The later seems like it fits the situation since he has this enormous statue made. But having the golden god wasn’t enough for him, he wanted to act like the priest of that god and ordered that it be worshiped by being bowed down to every time the music started playing.
Can you imagine the stress of knowing that if you didn’t bow down quick enough, you could be killed? But Daniel’s friends see another option. Their devotion to God was too strong to allow them to bow down to any other god and there was no way they were even going to think about worshiping this man-made image. No matter how imposing it was or how terrifying the punishment. The method of the death penalty wasn’t as quick and easy as being struck down with a sword. No, it was about burning alive.
Even knowing they would likely die a horrible death, they didn’t bow when the music started. The people whose lives had been saved through the dream interpretation were now trying to get rid of them by squealing to the king. When the king gave them a second chance and they didn’t take it, the king was furious. He demanded to increase the fire heat for them, making it so hot the men throwing them in died from the heat.
The three men knew they had to take a stand and it may mean their lives. No matter what happened they trusted God. That is when God showed up. A fourth man walking around in the fire. The men throwing them in didn’t survive, but the Hebrew lads are walking around with a fourth person. The king couldn’t believe his eyes. What should have killed them didn’t and furthermore when they did come out, there wasn’t any sight or smell to prove they had been there.
Making It Personal
When have you found yourself having to believe God would come through and trusting Him even if He didn’t? How do you keep the faith if He doesn’t answer the way you want? Is God still good?
Making It Personal Kids
Would it be hard to stand for Jesus if it meant you would get in big trouble? What could help you go through the punishment? When is Jesus with you?
Closing Prayer
Father, thank You for this reminder that we never have to go through trials all alone. Give us the courage to live for You no matter what cost. In Jesus’ name, amen.
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