“Then Nebuchadnezzar was furious with Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego, and his attitude toward them changed. He ordered the furnace heated seven times hotter than usual.” Daniel 3:19
It is easy to verbalise our love and commitment to God when everything is going smoothly. But truth be told, only a crisis can reveal the cracks in our professed love for Him.
Such was the test that the 3 Hebrew children faced. Exiled from their homeland and brought into Nebuchadnezzar’s court as administrators, they were subjected to the same treatment as anyone else who did not bow to his statue whenever the music played. To the king, it was an offense that resulted in capital punishment.
This story has an apocalyptic significance in that the antichrist will also require the mark to be taken by every person and those who refuse will not be able to trade, buy or sell, even essential items, which will automatically result in the death of those who refuse.
But suffice it to say, when these 3 Hebrew children were placed on the ‘hot seat’ and tested with their lives, they did not budge one bit. At the very crossroads between life and death, they chose to stay committed in their relationship to God. That day, many chose to bow to the statue and Jesus tells us that “whosoever seeks to save his life will lose it, but whosoever loses his life for My sake will preserve it.” They were adamant about their choice that they replied Nebuchadnezzar that even if God did not deliver them, they will still stick to it.
And God did. You know the story – He came in as the 4th man in the fire.
What test of fire are you facing today? As you stand in this crossroad faced with a choice to renege on your commitment to God or follow through, remember Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego. As we stand for Him, He will come through for us.