#2 2024 Top Ten Editors Note: Now through January 5 I am posting the Top Ten posts of 2024.
There are times in life when we face the question if our loyalty is to Jesus. It could be someone simply asking a pointed question, confronting you, or asking you to take a public stand. As a follower of Jesus, this is a call to faithfulness despite the repercussions.
In the case of Shadrach, Meshach and Abed-nego, it was a very pointed confrontation. King Nebuchadnezzar challenged them to “fall down and worship the image that I have made,” or they would “be cast into the midst of a furnace of blazing fire (Daniel 3:15, NASB).” The King further challenged them at the end of the verse, “and what god is there who can deliver you out of my hands.”
Stop for a moment in the space between the King’s challenge and the answer given by Shadrach, Meshach and Abed-nego. This is a question about what you have faith in. Do you trust God and His plan for your life, what He calls you to do, or do you respond in fear to the threats of people who demand you follow them? These are the moments that test our loyalty.
It’s instructive to us that Shadrach, Meshach and Abed-nego don’t just declare their loyalty to God, they directly counter the King’s claim that no god can deliver them from his hand. “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 (17).” Then they bluntly tell the king that even if God does not deliver them, “we are not going to serve your gods or worship the golden image that you have set up (18).”
They do not merely take a stand and declare their loyalty to God, they demonstrate their total trust in God’s plan. Shadrach, Meshach and Abed-nego lay down their selfish desires, even at the risk of their own lives, to make the statement that they whole-heartedly trust God. They have faith in God’s desires for their lives, not the desires of people.
In the course of our life, there will be days where our faith in God will be challenged. It doesn’t always come in the form of a direct challenge from people. Sometimes it will be a time of discouragement that challenges us. At those times, when nothing makes sense, God calls us to trust Him. It requires us to ignore the critics who claim God is powerless, and declare that the creator of the universe is perfectly capable of doing anything he chooses to do.
O Lord, open my lips, that my mouth may declare Your praise. For You do not delight in sacrifice, otherwise I would give it; You are not pleased with burnt offering. The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit; a broken and a contrite heart, O God, You will not despise. – Psalm 51:15-17, NASB
Answering the Call
This post is part of the “Answering the Call” series—an exploration of the moment of decision for so many people in the Bible. To read other posts in this series, click on the category “Answering the Call” At the end of this post.
© 2024, Chris G. Thelen
140 Character Christian 
This stirring account from Daniel continues to teach us that in God’s eyes there are no boundaries around faith. It has to grow and expand through His Word. Blessings Chris for writing these series.
Thank you for reading. I’ve enjoyed writing this series.
In our obedience to God’s call, we learn even more about the vastness of God’s attributes. As our faith deepens we are able to see more clearly His work. May we continue to follow God’s leading. Blessings.
Amen! I want to be that way, too! “Here I Am, Lord”. Now, what’s the question? Oh, to have faith that way!
Thanks for the comment. Mark 9:23-25 comes to mind: And Jesus said to him, “ ‘If You can?’ All things are possible to him who believes.” Immediately the boy’s father cried out and said, “I do believe; help my unbelief.” May God strengthen our faith. Blessings.
It’s my blessing! AMEN!! Blessings to you!! Thank you for this beautiful verse!
Amen!
Praise God! Blessings.
This is so incredibly powerful. For me, it’s an affirmation to what I believe God has been speaking into my heart the past couple days. Sometimes I’m my own worst critic but either way it seems to boil down to this: falling backward and seeking praise for myself or moving forward, praising the One who is worthy to receive it. Thank you so much. Hope to be back next Tuesday!
Deb
Thank you for sharing that. I’m guilty as well of being my own worst critic. Seeking God and His wisdom is always a better path. We need to remind ourselves that He created us first His purposes. His love and grace is sufficient. We need to trust Him. He is worthy of all praise! Blessings.
After reading your excellent post, my devotional reading this morning brought me to Colossians 3:23-25:
“Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving. Anyone who does wrong will be repaid for his wrong, and there is no favoritism.”
Blessings!
That’s a great scripture to add to this post. Thanks for sharing. Blessings.