But even if he does not . . . we will not serve your gods or worship the image of gold you have set up. Daniel 3:18
Raised in a tribe in the Philippines opposed to belief in Christ, Esther received salvation through Jesus after an aunt prayed for her during Esther’s battle with a life-threatening illness. Today, Esther leads Bible studies in her local community in spite of threats of violence and even death. She serves joyfully, saying, “I can’t stop telling people about Jesus because I’ve experienced the power, love, goodness, and faithfulness of God in my life.”
Serving God in the face of opposition is a reality for many today just as it was for Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, three young Israelites living in captivity in Babylon. In the book of Daniel, we learn that they refused to pray to a large golden image of King Nebuchadnezzar even when threatened with death. The men testified that God was capable of protecting them, but they chose to serve Him “even if” He didn’t rescue them (Daniel 3:18). When they were thrown into the fire, God actually joined them in their suffering (v. 25). To everyone’s amazement, they survived without even “a hair of their heads singed” (v. 27).
If we face suffering or persecution for an act of faith, ancient and modern examples remind us that God’s Spirit is present with us to strengthen and sustain us when we choose to obey Him, “even if” things turn out differently than we hope.
Read: Daniel 3:13-18, 25-27 (NIV)
13 Furiousg 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 godsh or worship the imagei 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 godj will be able to rescuek you from my hand?”
16 Shadrach, Meshach and Abednegol 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 deliverm
us from it, and he will delivern usc 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.o”
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,s come out! Come here!”
So Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego came out of the fire,
27 and the satraps, prefects, governors and royal adviserst crowded around them.u
They saw that the firev 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.
INSIGHT
- What are some ways you’ve chosen to follow God “even if”?
- What are ways He’s been with you?
Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego (Daniel 3:12) were no strangers to adversity. Ripped from their homes in Judah and dragged into exile, they may have seen family members abused and killed. They’d likely suffered abuse themselves, and now they resided in a culture hostile to the one true God. Yet all this adversity seemed only to strengthen their faith. When they respectfully defied the king (vv. 16–18), Nebuchadnezzar took their refusal personally, intensifying his anger. Yet the three remained resolute, revering God alone.
PRAYER
God, thank You for loving me so generously. Help me to follow You with joy even in the face of opposition. In Jesus name, I pray. Amen!!
Read: Daniel 3:13-18, 25-27 (NIV) | Bible in a Year: Ezekiel 35-36; 2 Peter 1
