Daniel 3:16 (ESV)
[16] Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego answered and said to the king, "O Nebuchadnezzar, we have no need to answer you in this matter. [17] If this be so, our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the burning fiery furnace, and he will deliver us out of your hand, O king. [18] But if not, be it known to you, O king, that we will not serve your gods or worship the golden image that you have set up."
When I read these verses several thoughts occurred to me. First, these men did not have to think about this decision because they had already decided. Likely they had talked about what they would do before the actual event occurred. What we do know is that in chapter one they had already taken a stand for God even if it meant their lives. These were men of conviction. Too often we leave the hard decisions for the moment and then we are moved by fear, anxiety peer pressure, etc. Like these three men we need to decide ahead of find that we will follow God no matter what.
Second, these men had made it the practice of their lives to choose the right thing rather than the easy thing. They had chosen to eat vegetables rather than the rich food of the king. When we make it the practice of our lives to choose the easy over the difficult, the comfortable over the uncomfortable, the broad road over the narrow path it becomes much more difficult for us to choose the right thing when the pressure is on. We need to make it the practice of our lives to choose the right think over the easy thing in small decisions. When we do, the big decisions become easier to make.
Thirdly, it occurs to me that even though this story turned out well for these men, they had no way of knowing that up front. They were willing to put their lives on the line for truth. Too often we approach the Christian life as though it is a means to a comfortable life. We would likely never say it, but we often live as though we believe that worshiping God somehow obligates him to keep us safe and make us comfortable. These men were willing to stand for truth even if no deliverance came. When the littlest thing goes wrong in our lives we cry out, "Why me God? Where are you?"
Walking with God is not for wimps, and it does not guarantee an easy, comfortable life. But it is the right thing to do. As we rapidly approach a new year, have we decided up front that we will walk with the Lord no matter where that takes us? As Joshua said to the Israelites, "Choose you this day whom you will serve."
By His grace,
Rick Weinert
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