Courage In Spite of The Heat (Part 1 of 2)
Likely one of your favorite stories from the Bible that you remember from the time of your youth is the account of the three Hebrew youths Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego (Daniel 3). Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah (later given the Babylonian names Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego) were taken captive to Babylon during the reign of King Nebuchadnezzar (606 B.C.). With the threat of being burned alive in a fiery furnace looming over them, these three young men refused to give in to the king’s command to bow down and worship a ninety-foot tall image of his likeness. With the fierceness of his anger kindled, Nebuchadnezzar commanded the furnace to be heated to seven times its original temperature so that these rebels might suffer for their stubbornness. The response of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego in the midst of such a trial provides us with a great lesson about taking courage in spite of the heat. Here were three young men who stood firm upon their convictions, and would not be persuaded otherwise! What can we learn from them about conviction, compromise, courage, and character?
CONVICTION BREEDS COURAGE
Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego had been raised up with the word of God. The very names their parents gave them were to serve as a reminder of their belief and trust in the God of heaven. Hananiah’s name meant “Jehovah has favored.” Mishael’s name meant “who is what God is?” Azariah’s name meant “Jehovah has helped.” From the earliest of remembrances, these young men had been taught about their covenant relationship with Jehovah, and were reminded of this day after day. When these young men, along with Daniel, were forcibly removed from their homes and taken away captive into Babylon, their faith was immediately put to the test. The three joined Daniel in the refusal to partake of the king’s meat and the king’s wine which was being fed to the noble sons of the Hebrew captives (Daniel 1:8, 17), even though such a stand could have cost them their lives. The depth of their convictions caused them to stand up for what they knew to be right, in spite of the circumstances or consequences. Friends, this is the true definition of courage! Many are under the impression that a person is courageous who is willing to take risks. Don’t confuse stupidity or thrill-seeking with bravery and courage. Real courage is born out of true conviction. Upon hearing the command of Nebuchadnezzar, that at the sound of the instruments of music the entire nation was to bow down to the golden likeness of the king, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego already knew that they would refuse to honor such a request. It wasn’t that their courage suddenly caused them to stand up for their convictions; it was that they were so convicted of the truth about the one true and living God that they were willing to suffer whatever may come as a result of standing foursquare upon it! Just how convicted were these three young men? When asked of Nebuchadnezzar, “[a]nd who is that God who shall deliver you out of my hands?” (Daniel 3:15), these three remarkable youths spoke with unmistakable conviction: “If it be so, our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the burning fiery furnace, and he will deliver us out of thine hand, O king. But if not, be it known unto the, O king, that we will not serve thy gods, nor worship the golden image which thou hast set up” (Daniel 3:17-18). These were not the words of rebellious, defiant youth. Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego trusted fully in God’s power to deliver them, but, even if God chose not to do so, they would gladly die in order to remain true to their God! May we be reminded that God has not given us a spirit of fear, but one of power, love, and a sound mind (2 Timothy 1:7). Are we so convicted of the truths of God’s word that, when our feet are held to the fire, our faith will stand the test?
Patrick Morrison
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