Bowed Down @ Standing Time

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Title Bowed Down @ Standing Time

Introduction: There is a saying, “If you don’t stand for something, you will fall for anything.” There are too many of us bowing down to the world’s agenda and not to God’s Agenda (Tony Evans calls it the Kingdom Agenda)! What time is it!!! It’s time to STAND!!!

Point #1- The Defiance (13-18)

(13-14) Interposition is when righteous agents of God interpose themselves between an unrighteous government and its innocent victims in order to reflect and defend His standard publicly; protest through civil disobedience.

(15) “Is it purposely that?” Notwithstanding his “fury,” his past favor for them disposes him to give them the opportunity of excusing themselves on the ground that their disobedience had not been intentional; so he gives them another trial to see whether they would still worship the image.

(16-17) 3:16 The young men responded that they did not need to present a defense (lit., “return [an answer]”) to the king concerning this decision (v. 16). No apology was to be given for their stand. This was not a “proud reply”; it was a “firm” reply. Their minds were made up.

3:17 Regarding the king’s threat of death in the furnace, they replied that their God was able to deliver them. In the NIV the latter part of the verse reads “and he [God] will rescue us from your hand, O king.” The Aramaic verbal form (imperfect) rendered “he will rescue” (yĕšêzib) also could be translated “he may rescue,” which in this context would be better. Although no doubt existed in the minds of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego about the ability of their God to deliver them, they humbly accepted the fact that God does not always choose to intervene miraculously in human circumstances, even on behalf of his servants. The following verse also shows that the Hebrews understood death to be a possibility.

(18) “But even if he does not” could be rendered more literally “but if not.” “Thereby they indicate that it will not be a matter of God’s inability but rather of His sovereign will if they do perish.” Here is a pertinent lesson for believers today. Does God have all power? Yes. Is God able to deliver believers from all problems and trials? Yes. But does God deliver believers from all trials? No. God may allow trials to come into the lives of his people to build character or for a number of other reasons (). The purpose for trials may not always be understood, but God simply asks that his children trust him—even when it is not easy. As Job, who endured incredible suffering, exclaimed, “Though he slay me, yet will I hope in him” (). Although God does not guarantee that his followers will never suffer or experience death, he does promise always to be with them. In times of trial the believer’s attitude should be that of these young men (3:17–18).

Point #2- The Danger (19-23) (cp. 22)

(19) The bold words and unrepentant attitude of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego caused Nebuchadnezzar to become furious (lit., “he was filled with rage”) toward them. The NIV’s “his attitude changed” is literally “the image of his face was changed,” referring to the king’s facial expression. His countenance became harsh and flushed with anger, and the king ordered that the furnace be heated “seven times hotter” than normal.

(narrate 20-23)

Point #3- The Deliverance (24-26*)

From these next few verses, the text is tailored to teach us about God’s internal (24-25) & external deliverance (26-27).

(INTERNAL DELIVERANCE) It is certainly true that when believers go through fiery trials Christ is with them. The three Hebrews experienced literally the promise, “When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned; the flames will not set you ablaze” (, “When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and through the rivers, they shall not overflow you. When you walk through the fire, you shall not be burned, nor shall the flame scorch you.”)

Some fires are not meant to burn you, but better you! They are not to make you BITTER, but make you BETTER!

walking in … midst of … fire—image of the godly unhurt, and at large (, “So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed.”), “in the midst of trouble” (, “Though I walk in the midst of trouble, you preserve my life; you stretch out your hand against the wrath of my enemies, and your right hand delivers me.”; compare , ). They walked up and down in the fire, not leaving it, but waiting for God’s time to bring them out. So Paul (, ). So Noah waited in the ark, after the flood, till God brought him forth ().

Observe the shift between & 3:25-- they enter the fiery furnace down & bound, but in the midst they are loose and walking around! God is ALWAYS present and at work in the midst of our fiery furnaces!

Just as Jesus waited in the tomb as God’s prisoner, till God brought Him forth, till God brought Him out!

(Conclusion) (26-27) – EXTERNAL DELIVERANCE – God will bring you out!!!