Text: Daniel 3
Setting: Nebuchadnezzar made a golden image (v. 1), commanded all to worship it (v. 4-6). The people obeyed (v. 7), except for some Jews — Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-nego (v. 12). Nebuchadnezzar became angry and called the men before him to answer (v. 13-15).
They Knew What Was Right
- These men did not claim ignorance — they deliberately defied the king’s order
- God condemned idolatry (Exodus 20:2-6)
- “Our God whom we serve…” — their faith was more than just a belief in the existence of God; they served Him
- A dead faith will not be strong in the face of opposition (John 12:42-43)
They Knew What God Could Do
- They were convinced that God could deliver them from the king — How?
- God was the Creator of the universe (Genesis 1:1)
- God had a history of delivering His people
- Their faith was not based upon personal experience, but that they had been taught (cf. Romans 10:17)
Their Faith Was Not Based on God Doing Their Will
- “But even if He does not…” — they recognized the possibility that God would allow them to suffer
- The fact that God had the ability to save them did not necessarily mean that He would
- God’s will is not the same as man’s will (Isaiah 55:8-9)
They Were Willing to Endure Anything
- They knew the king’s punishment… they knew that God was able to deliver them if He chose to do so… they had no guarantees about the outcome of their situation
- They were cast into the furnace (v. 19-23)
- Ultimately, God delivered them (v. 24-26)
Read the article: The Faith of Daniel’s Friends
