hearts on fire:week three

Shadrach, Meshach, Abednego

Daniel 3:15 ESV

Now if you are ready when you hear the sound of the horn, pipe, lyre, trigon, harp, bagpipe, and every kind of music, to fall down and worship the image that I have made, well and good. But if you do not worship, you shall immediately be cast into a burning fiery furnace. And who is the god who will deliver you out of my hands?”

When it comes to situations that require us to go with the flow of the crowd, if forces us to make a choice. Those choices test whether or not we believe who we say we are, whether we are just going along with the crowd, and if we are firm in our commitments.

CONFIDENCE IS NOT BACKING DOWN

We can’t say one thing and think another. That is what we call lukewarm. Lukewarm faith is not acceptable in the eyes of the Lord. So what do we do when the crowd says one thing but the Holy Spirit says another?

Those who were close to King Nebuchadnezzar made a suggestion to him saying that they were going to set up this golden statue of him. Then they will play music and during that time, everyone will bow down and worship the statue.

Daniel 3:6 ESV

And whoever does not fall down and worship shall immediately be cast into a burning fiery furnace.”

One of the hardest things that we learn about going with the crowd is that there are times where it conflicts with the beliefs that we hold on to. We have to decide on what the outcome will be

THERE ARE ALWAYS CONSEQUENCES TO CHOICES

**Set the scene**

The music plays

the people bow down

but 3 men remain standing

Daniel 3:12 ESV

There are certain Jews whom you have appointed over the affairs of the province of Babylon: Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego. These men, O king, pay no attention to you; they do not serve your gods or worship the golden image that you have set up.”

Daniel 3:14–15 ESV

Nebuchadnezzar answered and said to them, “Is it true, O Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, that you do not serve my gods or worship the golden image that I have set up? Now if you are ready when you hear the sound of the horn, pipe, lyre, trigon, harp, bagpipe, and every kind of music, to fall down and worship the image that I have made, well and good. But if you do not worship, you shall immediately be cast into a burning fiery furnace. And who is the god who will deliver you out of my hands?”

It seems reasonable. If they just bow down and worship then they will be spared. If not the consequences would be fatal.

WHAT ARE YOU COMPROMISING?

Daniel 3:16–18 ESV

Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego answered and said to the king, “O Nebuchadnezzar, we have no need to answer you in this matter. 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. 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.”

CONFIDENCE IS STANDING

Standing when the world tells you to bow. Standing for what you know is right and true. Standing on your foundation even when it costs. Standing is being willing to draw the line in the sand and say I will not cross it.

Many of us know how this story ends. But this point in the story of Shadrach Meshach and Abednego tells us a great and important truth. When you stand for your faith instead of kneeling with the crowd, there is no telling what God is able to do and who God is able to reach.

DON’T BE SCARED TO STAND

BE TRUE TO WHAT YOU CLAIM TO BELIEVE

STAND IN CONFIDENCE