Martyrdom has been the final test for many believers throughout history. They choose death at the hands of sinful men rather than compromise their faith in God.
Such was the case for the three young Jews mentioned in the Book of Daniel ...
King Nebuchadnezzar had a golden image erected as a symbol of his power and glory. He then commanded his people to bow down and worship it whenever they heard the sound of his musical herald. Those who disobeyed would be thrown into a blazing furnace.
Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego worshipped the One True God and refused to bow down to the king's false idol.
Wiersbe - They could have compromised and defended their disobedience by arguing, “Everybody else is doing it,” or “Our office demands that we obey,” or “We’ll bow our knees but we won’t bow our hearts.” But true faith doesn’t look for loopholes; it simply obeys God and knows that He will do what is best. Faith rests on commands and promises, not on arguments and explanations.
Though the men were about to be subjected to Nebuchadnessar's harsh judgment, they boldly proclaimed ...
King Nebuchadnezzar, we do not need to defend ourselves before you in this matter. If we are thrown into the blazing furnace, the God we serve is able to deliver us from it. 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.
Furious, the king ordered the furnace to be seven times hotter than the norm. Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego were bound and cast into the flames. The fiery blast was so hot it actually killed the soldiers who escorted them.
When Nebuchadnezzar peered into the furnace he was stunned by what he saw ...
He 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.” 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.”
The king called them to come out of the furnace and they emerged unscathed. Not a hair on their heads was singed; no smell of smoke was on their clothing. Because of that miraculous deliverance, Nebuchadnezzar declared that the Israelites would be protected from harm and guaranteed freedom to worship their God.
You are not alone, pilgrim.
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