Read

Daniel 3:13-18

¹³Then Nebuchadnezzar flew into a rage and ordered Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego to be brought before him. When they were brought in, ¹⁴Nebuchadnezzar said to them, “Is it true, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, that you refuse to serve my gods or to worship the gold statue I have set up? ¹⁵I will give you one more chance. If you bow down and worship the statue I have made when you hear the sound of the musical instruments, all will be well. But if you refuse, you will be thrown immediately into the blazing furnace. What god will be able to rescue you from my power then?”
¹⁶Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego replied, “O Nebuchadnezzar, we do not need to defend ourselves before you. ¹⁷If we are thrown into the blazing furnace, the God whom we serve is able to save us. He will rescue us from your power, Your Majesty. ¹⁸But even if he doesn’t, Your Majesty can be sure that we will never serve your gods or worship the gold statue you have set up.”

Reflect

How can we be so sure that God will save us? Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego were sure that God was able to save them but they had to have faith that God would save them. Either way, they wouldn’t serve the gods of Nebuchadnezzar. Why did they have such strong faith? What gave them that assurance? I am sure that growing up, they were told story after story about how God had rescued the children of Israel. They knew the history. They had proof that God could save them. They had also seen how God worked in their lives recently when God gave Daniel the interpretation of the King’s dream. All of that strengthened their faith so that they could stand up to the King.

The awesome proof that Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego had is still with us today. God has given us his Word to show us that He is the one and only God worthy of worship. Through numerous examples provided in the Bible, we know of the awesome power and love of God. We also have the supreme example of Jesus’ death on the cross and raising from the dead. We have his promise that the Holy Spirit will always be with us. We don’t have to go along with the crowd—fearful that we will be persecuted. We can stand firm on God’s promises knowing that He is always in control.

Respond

1. What proof did Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego have that told them that God would save them?
2. What proof do we have that God can save us?
3. What promise do we have that God will save us?

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