Absolute Trust

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Perhaps you heard about the officer who was being cross-examined by a defense attorney during a felony trial. The lawyer was trying to undermine the policeman’s credibility.... Q: "Officer -- did you see my client fleeing the scene?" A: "No sir. But I subsequently observed a person matching the description of the offender, running several blocks away." Q: "Officer -- who provided this description?" A: "The officer who responded to the scene." Q: "A fellow officer provided the description of this so-called offender. Do you trust your fellow officers?" A: "Yes, sir. With my life." Q: "With your life? Let me ask you this then officer. Do you have a room where you change your clothes in preparation for your daily duties?" A: "Yes sir, we do!" Q: "And do you have a locker in the room?" A: "Yes sir, I do." Q: "And do you have a lock on your locker?" A: "Yes sir." Q: "Now why is it, officer, if you trust your fellow officers with your life, you find it necessary to lock your locker in a room you share with these same officers?" A: "You see, sir -- we share the building with the court complex, and sometimes lawyers have been known to walk through that room." The courtroom erupted in laughter, and a prompt recess was called.
That officer had absolute trust in his fellow officers. He just didn’t have any trust in lawyers.
How much do you trust God? Do you trust Him absolutely? Do you trust Him completely…no matter what? This morning I want us to look at the story of 3 men in the OT book of Daniel who demonstrated absolute trust in God! Their names were Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego and their story is found in Daniel 3. To set the stage, the situation was such that these 3 men along with Daniel had been brought to Babylonafter the Babylonians conquered Judahin 605 B.C. (the first deportation) and trained in the court of the king. After Daniel revealed and interpreted king Nebuchadnezzar’s dream when his other wise men could not, he elevated them to high administrative positions in the land. Shortly after this, the king made a huge gold image that stood over 90 feet tall and 9 feet wide. For the dedication, 8 classes of government officials were assembled on the plain of Dura (just outside of the city of Babylon) for its dedication. Everyone was told that when the music played they were to bow to this image. This would show their submission to the King both politically and religiously. Failure to comply to the command to worship the image was penalized by sudden death, being thrown into a blazing furnace. The severity of the penalty indicates that submission on the part of every official was absolutely expected! Who would be dumb enough not to bow?
Well there were 3 men there that day who were “dumb” enough – Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego. Apparently Daniel wasn’t present probably being out of the region or country on official business. After the dedication event, some of the Babylonians from the noble class approached the king and brought charges against the 3 Jewish men noting how they had disregarded him and refused to serve the kings gods or bow down to the golden image he’d set up.
Let’s pick up in the Biblical record at this point…read Daniel 3:13-18
Daniel 3:13–18 NASB95
Then Nebuchadnezzar in rage and anger gave orders to bring Shadrach, Meshach and Abed-nego; then these men were brought before the king. Nebuchadnezzar responded and said to them, “Is it true, Shadrach, Meshach and Abed-nego, that you do not serve my gods or worship the golden image that I have set up? “Now if you are ready, at the moment you hear the sound of the horn, flute, lyre, trigon, psaltery and bagpipe and all kinds of music, to fall down and worship the image that I have made, very well. But if you do not worship, you will immediately be cast into the midst of a furnace of blazing fire; and what god is there who can deliver you out of my hands?” Shadrach, Meshach and Abed-nego replied to the king, “O Nebuchadnezzar, we do not need to give you an answer concerning this matter. “If it be so, our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the furnace of blazing fire; and He will deliver us out of your hand, O king. “But even if He does not, let it be known to you, O king, that we are not going to serve your gods or worship the golden image that you have set up.”
This morning I want you to observe 2 things…

1. THESE MEN LIVED OUT THEIR FAITH.

- They didn’t just talk-the-talk. They walked-the-walk!
- They were real, genuine believers and followers of God.
- They didn’t compromise their faith or their beliefs!
- It would’ve been easy for them to just bow down to the image during that dedication service – just to keep the peace, just to go with the flow, no big deal.
- But it was a big deal – to them! And to the others who were watching and desiring to do them in!
- There was absolutely no compromise with them or in them!
- The problem today = too many of us who profess to be Christians don’t live out our faith! – go along with the crowd, don’t want to rock the boat – be called out – singled out!
- We compromise our faith and beliefs all too often.
- These men believed in Yahweh God – the Lord God. And they practiced what they believed – they lived what they believed! They weren’t wishy washy. They weren’t compromisers. They didn’t go along with the crowd they were in - all in. They wouldn’t bow to any other god!
- Their faith and beliefs guided their actions and responses!
- Oh that we would be a group of people today who would do the same! Young people, I pray today that you will live out your faith at your school and among your friends and peers! Adults, I pray today that you will live out your faith in your work place and among your friends and peers!
- Will it cost you anything?Maybe!

2. THESE MEN TRUSTED GOD COMPLETELY.

- When these 3 were brought before the king, he was shocked and asked them if the charges being brought against them were true. He couldn’t believe that anyone would defy him and especially with the punishment that would be immediately carried out!
- So he graciously moved to give them another opportunity to right the matter.
- And he said something in verse 15 that is crucial to this event…“But if you will not worship, you will immediately be cast into the midst of a furnace of blazing fire; and what god is there who can deliver you out of my hands?” This must’ve perked these 3 men up a bit because he didn’t understand who their God was!
- So the 3 men answered the king in Daniel 3:16-18 with these words…
Daniel 3:16–18 NASB95
Shadrach, Meshach and Abed-nego replied to the king, “O Nebuchadnezzar, we do not need to give you an answer concerning this matter. “If it be so, our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the furnace of blazing fire; and He will deliver us out of your hand, O king. “But even if He does not, let it be known to you, O king, that we are not going to serve your gods or worship the golden image that you have set up.”
- What were they saying to the king?
1) This matter isn’t between you and us. It’s between you and the Lord God! “We do not need to give you an answer concerning this matter.”
2) Our God whom we serve is able to deliver us if it be His will. He has the power!
3) Even if He chooses not to deliver us, we are going to stay true to Him!
- Friend, that’s absolute trust!
Conclusion
I ask you this morning, how much do you trust God? Do you trust Him completely? Do you trust Him absolutely? Do you trust Him no matter what?
How willing are you to suffer hardship, loss, pain, difficulty, even death to stay true to God?
These men were willing. They lived out their faith. They trusted God completely.
And it just so happens that their story turned out pretty dramatic! You can read the rest of it in verses 19-30.
But friend what if your story doesn’t turn out quiet as dramatic as Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego’s? Are you still willing to stand up…live out your faith…and trust God absolutely?
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