Courage In Spite of The Heat (Part 2 of 2)
CONVICTION BUCKS COMPROMISE
How easy do you suppose it would have been for Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego to have given into Nebuchadnezzar and bowed down to worship his image? After all, they were young, they were far away from home, far away from the eyes of those who knew them and who would disapprove of their actions. Who would expect young men who had been torn away from their homes and thrust into the midst of such a wicked, idolatrous people to stand up and stand out for what was right? Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego were not concerned with what others expected of them; they were only concerned with what God expected of them. They could be taken from the city of God, and they could have their names changed in order to remove the thought of God from them, but these three Hebrew youths would not allow their convictions to be taken from them, or compromised in any way! When our faith is put to the test, the Devil will make sure that opportunities to compromise our convictions will be placed conveniently before us. Will we attend all assemblies of the church faithfully when on vacation, even when those we know are nowhere around? Will we be tempted to compromise our modesty and dress like the world when among the worldly? Will we find it convenient to tell dirty jokes and curse when we are around those who do such at work? Remember, it is far easier to give in than to stand in! Compromise is a sign of cowardice, and cowardice in regard to standing for the truth will cost us our souls (Revelation 21:8)! When we are truly convicted concerning God’s word, we will be the same no matter where we are or who we are with.
CONVICTION BUILDS CHARACTER
While Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego can certainly teach us many lessons about courageous, faithful living in the face of great trial, they also likely learned a few things about themselves through the course of the events recorded in the book of Daniel. How could three young men stand so firmly against the threats of the mightiest king on earth? What caused them to exhibit such courage, and to refuse to compromise? I submit unto you that experience had taught them that God will always reward faithfulness. Why were Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego willing to face the fiery furnace? God had already brought them through one test, as recorded in Daniel chapter one. Why could they make the request to eat only vegetables and drink only water while their brothers in the flesh were feasting on the king’s meat and wine? God had seen them through the conquest of Jerusalem by Nebuchadnezzar and their subsequent march to Babylon. Every time these young men were willing to stand for what was right, God had blessed them, cared for them, provided for them, and had been with them through every trial. With each test of their faith successfully passed, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego could take comfort in knowing that the next trial could be overcome just as had those before it. Paul by inspiration tells us that the trying of our faith works experience (Romans 5:4, KJV), or builds character (ESV). As the fire of trial grew hotter, the character of the three young men grew stronger and more refined. It is often said that trials prove what kind of people we really are. They will show our faith for what it really is—conviction, or convenience.
Will your faith stand the test of fiery trial, or will your soul wither in the heat? Until you are fully convicted of God’s word, then courage will fail you in the heat of the moment, and compromise and convenience will reign supreme. Study the word of God (2 Peter 3:18). Meditate upon it constantly (Psalm 119:97). Lay it up in your heart (Psalm 119:11). Then, when Satan begins hurling his fiery darts, you can stand firmly upon your convictions, building character with each test of faith that you pass. Take courage in spite of the fire!
-Patrick Morrison
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