READ: Daniel 3
Verses
chosen for meditation: Daniel 3:16-18
16 Shadrach, Meshach, and
Abednego answered and said to the king, “O Nebuchadnezzar, we have no need to
answer you in this matter. 17 If this be
so, our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the burning fiery
furnace, and he will deliver us out of your hand, O king. 18 But
if not, be it known to you, O king, that we will not serve your gods or worship
the golden image that you have set up.”
REFLECT
In
this chapter, Nebuchadnezzar ordered the construction of a large statue and mandated
that the people worship the image. The refusal to do so would lead to death by
burning in a fiery furnace. Some Chaldeans then came and maliciously revealed
that three Jews, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, refused to follow the king’s
orders (Daniel 3:8-12). This reveal was likely driven by jealousy, as the three jews
were held in high regard by the king, who promoted and trusted them to oversee
many affairs in Babylon.
Nebuchadnezzar,
enraged, summoned for the three men. It’s interesting that the king gave them a
chance to change their minds. It’s possible he was fond of them for their
excellent service over the years and did not want to lose such capable men. He
offered to have the whole orchestra play just for them, if they would only
worship the large statue.
The
three men, steadfast in their faith in Yahweh, were not shaken even in the face
of death, and proclaimed that their God has the power to deliver them. Even if that
didn’t happen, they would still trust in God and not be pressured in
worshipping anything other than their God. The miracle of Yahweh’s deliverance
did happen, and the men survived.
RELATE
It’s
easy to get distracted by the sensational aspects of the miracle, when the key
is the three men’s basis for their unrelenting faith, miracle or not. Let’s
look at some insights into the men’s faith.
Excellence
Inviting Jealousy
It’s
unlikely that they outrightly challenged/protested Nebuchadnezzar’s mandate, instead
keeping a low profile, minding their own business. They could not control other
people’s decisions to worship the image, but could quietly abstain themselves.
Hence, they did nothing to provoke the king’s authority. Yet the Chaldeans,
likely out of jealousy, ratted them out, making it sound like they disrespected
the king.
What
invites such jealousy is often the excellence and integrity of faithful people,
but they do not draw attention to their own excellence. People of faith do not
have a psychological need to make a big deal out of their excellence and achievements.
They simply obey God and let their actions speak. Still, people will observe
that they are different from others. Some will be attracted by that excellence,
but some will be jealous.
It's
probable that the 3 men had to tolerate such cynical backstabbing and slander through
their career, yet they simply continued with their good work. They did not even
bother to defend their case, not out of disrespect to the king, but because
they were secure in their identity as God’s belonged. From them, we can learn
to focus on doing our best work, without being distracted by attacks driven by
jealousy, leaving protection and vindication to God.
God
Our True Master instead of Human Masters
The
3 men obeyed God as their true master over Nebuchadnezzar, in a situation where
they could not compromise their faith. But they obediently served the king in
their appointments. They followed Colossians 3:22-24 well.
There
is space for us to work in secular places under secular bosses and God
instructs that we obey the earthly masters he puts in charge of us. This way,
he can use us as powerful testaments for His glory in places that do not know Him.
However, in situations where we are commanded to do something clearly against
God’s will, we must remember who our true master is and take a stand.
Trust
in God’s Sovereign Will
Then
the climax: their loyalty to Yahweh when facing death. I hear messages being spoken
before that God will deliver us no matter what. If we have faith, He will always deliver us from danger. That is not true. The response in v17-18 from the
3 men shows a more complete truth. They know that their God, who parted the sea
to save His people would surely have the power to deliver them. Does God have
power and is able to deliver all believers from their dangers? Yes. But does
God deliver all believers from all dangers? No, for reasons we may not
understand.
This
is why there are martyrs who die for their faith. God does not promise that his
followers never suffer or die, but He promises that He’ll always be with them.
Death is not the end of all things. The 3 men had no guarantee that God would
perform a miracle on their behalf, though He obviously can. Such miracles of rescue
were rare, and they were not expecting it. They trusted God’s sovereign will,
even if that means their journey on earth ends there and then. Their faith was not
based on miracles, but is one that says, “Though He slay me, yet will I trust
in Him” (Job 13:15, KJV).
I
hope I never have to be in such a situation. If there ever comes such a day, I pray
for courage, strength and peace, to have an unrelenting faith, like the 3 men.
REST
Psalm 23 (Phil Wickham, ft. Tiffany Hudson):
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8RzGnpvUFFw
Chris
Chong
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