Worship In Times of Hardship

Daniel 3:8–28 NIV

8 At this time some astrologers came forward and denounced the Jews. 9 They said to King Nebuchadnezzar, “May the king live forever! 10 Your Majesty has issued a decree that everyone who hears the sound of the horn, flute, zither, lyre, harp, pipe and all kinds of music must fall down and worship the image of gold, 11 and that whoever does not fall down and worship will be thrown into a blazing furnace. 12 But there are some Jews whom you have set over the affairs of the province of Babylon—Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego—who pay no attention to you, Your Majesty. They neither serve your gods nor worship the image of gold you have set up.” 13 Furious with rage, Nebuchadnezzar summoned Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego. So these men were brought before the king, 14 and Nebuchadnezzar said to them, “Is it true, Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego, that you do not serve my gods or worship the image of gold I have set up? 15 Now when you hear the sound of the horn, flute, zither, lyre, harp, pipe and all kinds of music, if you are ready to fall down and worship the image I made, very good. But if you do not worship it, you will be thrown immediately into a blazing furnace. Then what god will be able to rescue you from my hand?” 16 Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego replied to him, “King Nebuchadnezzar, we do not need to defend ourselves before you in this matter. 17 If we are thrown into the blazing furnace, the God we serve is able to deliver us from it, and he will deliver us from Your Majesty’s hand. 18 But even if he does not, we want you to know, Your Majesty, that we will not serve your gods or worship the image of gold you have set up.” 19 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 20 and commanded some of the strongest soldiers in his army to tie up Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego and throw them into the blazing furnace. 21 So these men, wearing their robes, trousers, turbans and other clothes, were bound and thrown into the blazing furnace. 22 The king’s command was so urgent and the furnace so hot that the flames of the fire killed the soldiers who took up Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego, 23 and these three men, firmly tied, fell into the blazing furnace. 24 Then King Nebuchadnezzar leaped to his feet in amazement and asked his advisers, “Weren’t there three men that we tied up and threw into the fire?” They replied, “Certainly, Your Majesty.” 25 He said, “Look! I see four men walking around in the fire, unbound and unharmed, and the fourth looks like a son of the gods.” 26 Nebuchadnezzar then approached the opening of the blazing furnace and shouted, “Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego, servants of the Most High God, come out! Come here!” So Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego came out of the fire, 27 and the satraps, prefects, governors and royal advisers crowded around them. They saw that the fire had not harmed their bodies, nor was a hair of their heads singed; their robes were not scorched, and there was no smell of fire on them. 28 Then Nebuchadnezzar said, “Praise be to the God of Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego, who has sent his angel and rescued his servants! They trusted in him and defied the king’s command and were willing to give up their lives rather than serve or worship any god except their own God.

We all have face perilous times in our lives:

Financial problems

Relationship Problems

Addictions

The list goes on and on

In this story from the Book of Daniel the Jews failed to follow the rules set by King Nebuchadnezzar.

They refused to fall and worship the king

The king brought in Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego before him

They were questioned by the King

He asked if it was true that the Jews refused to worship his Gods

The King gave them another opportunity to worship his Gods and idols with a stipulation

If you do not worship them then you will be thrown into a blazing furnace.

They failed to worship the Kings Gods and idols

The furnace was prepared but in a different way

The furnace was heated 7 times hotter than normal.

The three were tied up the Kings strongest soldiers

After being bound they were tossed in to this very hot furnace.

They did not do what was expected of them:

They did not scream or yell with pain and anguish.

Instead they were heard praising and worshipping God.

The King jumped up and said to everyone did we not put three people in the furnace.

Everyone replied “YES”

You see there was a fourth person in the furnace with them.

The King said it was the Son of their God.

Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego were completely unharmed.

So what is the moral of the story from the Book of Daniel

No matter what Jesus is ready to rescue you.

As i have said before there is nothing so bad that Jesus will not help you.

If you have addictions he can sober you up

If you have relationship problems he can mend it.

If you have health problems, He can heal you.

Simply put with Christ, all things are possible.

Because of this simple miracle in a furnace the King destroyed all the idols and started worshiping the Lord God.

It is never to late to reach out to Jesus for help