FIX YOUR THOUGHT
I am always inspired by people of courage and faith who refuse to be frightened or intimidated. Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego are inspiring examples of absolute trust in God. They refused to bow down and worship the image of gold, in spite of the threat of being thrown into a fiery furnace. They were determined to do the right thing, however great the cost might be, because they believed in God and his power to vindicate them if he so desired. They said to the king, ‘Your threat means nothing to us. If you throw us in the fire, the God we serve can rescue us from your roaring furnace and anything else you might cook up, O king. But even if he doesn’t, it wouldn’t make a bit of difference, O king. We still wouldn’t serve your gods or worship the gold statue you set up’ (3:16b–18, MSG). It would have been easy for Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego to have tried to find a way out. They could have sought to negotiate a settlement with Nebuchadnezzar that involved some compromise but not too much. But they had complete confidence in the power of God to deliver them if he wanted to, and if he did not, they were still going to trust in him and obey him. When faced with difficult decisions ask, as they did, ‘What is the right thing to do?’ Then do it regardless of the consequences. Their absolute trust in God was a tremendous witness to Nebuchadnezzar. God is the same yesterday, today and tomorrow . He will deliver you if you put your Trust in Him.