True Courage
A guest post by Chad Ramsey.
Although there are a number of instances recorded in Scripture where individuals exhibited courage, the account of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-Nego, recorded in Daniel 3, stands either at or near the top of the list.
Those familiar with the story are aware that King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon constructed a golden image, and he intended for the people to worship the idol at the appointed time (Daniel 3:5). If anyone refused to do so, he or she was to be “cast into the midst of a burning fiery furnace” (Daniel 3:6).
Knowing, however, that they were servants of God, the three Hebrews refused to succumb to this temptation.
The scene that follows is truly amazing. In a rage, King Nebuchadnezzar called for Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-Nego to be brought before him (Daniel 3:13). After warning them of the penalty for disobedience, Nebuchadnezzar asked: “And who is the god who will deliver you from my hands?”
The answer that Nebuchadnezzar received revealed the true courage of the young men. They responded:
“O Nebuchadnezzar, we have no need to answer you in this matter. If that is the case, our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the burning fiery furnace, and He will deliver us from your hand, O king. But if not, let it be known to you, O king, that we do not serve your gods, nor will we worship the gold image which you have set up” (Daniel 3:16-18).
Rather than allowing the threat of physical persecution to affect their behavior, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-Nego were willing to die in order to maintain faithfulness to God.
Their answer revealed their unyielding faith in God’s existence and ability. They rightly believed God would deliver them if such was possible. (It was, and He did!)
And they unapologetically noted that even if they had to die, they would remain faithful to God.
Chad Ramsey preaches for the Gloster Street Church of Christ in Tupelo, Mississippi. You can access their Bible classes and Chad’s sermons on Gloster Street’s YouTube page.
Chad was - and still is - “my preacher” from when I spent my high school and early college years at Gloster Street. I’m thankful to be able to share some of his writings with you.
