Jump Start # 905

Daniel 3:16-18  Shadrach, Meshach and Abed-nego replied to the king, “O Nebuchadnezzar, we do not need to give you an answer concerning this matter. If it be so, our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the furnace of blazing fire; and He will deliver us out of your hand, O king. But even if He does not, let it be known to you, O king, that we are not going to serve your gods or worship the golden image that you have set up.”

Our study in “Profiles of Courage” takes us to the book of Daniel and the story of Shadrach, Meshach and Abed-nego. This lesson has been a favorite since children’s Bible classes. It is a lesson about conviction, confidence and refusing to cave into what is wrong.

Remember the setting? The Babylonians had invaded Judah. They killed many, destroyed the king’s palace and gutted the Temple. It was at this time that the ark of the covenant was taken, probably placed in a Babylonian temple. No one knows what happened to it, not even Indiana Jones. The Babylonians kidnapped several youths. They gave them Babylonian names, taught them Babylonian ways and introduced them to Babylonian religion. This is the setting for our three Jewish boys. Away from home, not off to college, not on vacation, against their will, having seen their city destroyed, they are in the land of their captors.

The king of Babylon has a huge festival and demands that all bow before the image he has created. Shadrach, Meshach and Abed-nego refused. They stand. They stand alone. They stand and are noticed by officials. They are taken before an enraged king who demands that they obey him. They are defiant. They refuse. There is a fiery furnace. They are thrown in there. God saves them. They do not die. They are brought before the king. They don’t even smell like smoke.

What these three young men illustrate for us is the courage to refuse to do wrong. They were the only ones it seems that refused to bow. They held God’s law higher than the king’s law. They understood that God’s law applies in Judah, as well as in Babylon. God’s law applies whether you are home or a captive in a foreign land. God’s law applies whether it is easy or gets you in trouble. They got that. I pray that we get that.

This chapter makes us wonder about the other Jewish youths that were captured. It makes us wonder about Daniel. Were they at this mass celebration too? Did they also stand? Many questions, no answers from the text. We know only of these three Jewish youths.

These three teach us that there are consequences to following God. Some of these consequences are tough. They put God before self. This is courage. They would not bend, even an inch on what God said. They would not pretend to go along with the Babylonians. They could have easily bowed and prayed to God. They didn’t. They could have bowed and tied their shoes. They didn’t. They could have half bowed. They didn’t. They did not want any to think that they were going along with what was wrong. They stood.

That defiant spirit that refused to go along with what was wrong is founded upon a faith in what is right. This was not a political statement between Judah and Babylon. This was about standing for God.

• It is that spirit for what is right that will cause a young person to leave a party that has turned into an excuse to drink alcohol. Most major universities today have serious problems with students drinking huge volumes of alcohol. Away from home, influenced by others, too many youths are bowing down to the pressure of “a good time” that is illegal, sinful and the first steps of a life long battle with addiction. Those without convictions and those without courage are those who are bowing down. Many toss away their faith at this age because Sunday morning is used to sleep off what happened Saturday night. Few are up and getting ready for worship on Sunday. They have already bowed to a false image.

• The pressures to do wrong doesn’t end with college. The corporate setting is cut throat and breeds the spirit of lying, cheating and dishonesty. Become a part of this or be left behind. It’s be one of them or be stuck with no hopes of advancement. For those without convictions or courage, it’s about bowing down to unethical, dishonest and immoral practices. They do that to survive. They do not see how keeping God’s law fits in a tank of sharks who are all trying to get a step up on the next guy. Those that bow down do not see that the dishonesty that they have sold out for begins a life long journey of lying and dishonesty that creeps into their homes and marriages. They have already bowed down to a false image.
• The pressure to do wrong is even found within churches. Sons and daughters of leaders are given a free ride when they have been caught doing wrong. Certain favorites are given  allowances even in teaching error because of church politics. The pressure to go along, accept is widely felt. Those without conviction or courage abide. The church is weakened. The influence of the leaders become more corrupt. Many bow down to a false image.

The three Jewish boys stood. The king got angry. He threatened violence. They actually were thrown into a furnace. There are consequences for standing. People know. You are noticed. There are whispers. There are those who run to the king, or boss, or church leaders to tell. There is the calling in on the carpet. There are those who get very angry and threaten. There are consequences. The loss of a job…the loss of a friendship…the reputation that has been falsely twisted. There comes pleas to join the wrong. There comes threats. There comes tears, shouts, fears.

The three Jewish boys stood. They stood with God. They stood against a nation. They didn’t try to run. They didn’t get in the mud with the king and use the occasion for violence. They remained true to God’s principles, all of them.

I expect before the day is over, you will see things that are wrong. You may be asked to join in or at least look the other way. Don’t cause waves, you will be told. Don’t stop the fun we are having, you will be threatened. Three Jewish boys long ago, would not dilute their faith to save their own lives. God was greater than they were. God was who they followed. “We are not going to serve your gods…”

Courage. Do you have it?

Roger