COURAGE UNDER FIRE

          There is no greater story of courage under fire than the one found in the third chapter of the Old Testament book of Daniel.  King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon had overseen the construction of a towering obelisk - - a golden image standing ninety feet high.  At the dedication ceremony all are ordered, at the sound of music, to bow down and worship the image (Dan.3:5).  Full compliance was demanded and there would be zero tolerance for any who disobeyed - - whoever does not fall down and worship shall promptly  be cast into a fiery furnace (Dan.3:6).  In a time when earthly kings held great sway, this was a royal edict to BOW OR BURN.               

          Three Hebrew youths, Hananiah, Mishael and Azariah (aka, Shadrach, Meshach and Abed-nego) chose to “obey God rather than men” (cf. Acts 5:29).  They knew the Scriptures well - - You shall have no other gods before Me and You shall not make for your-self an idol (Ex.20:3-4).  The king offered them a “re-do”, but their stance remained firm:  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… (Dan.3:17-18).  Their courage was faith-based - - they  trusted in the word of God.  One hundred years earlier Isaiah the prophet had declared and inscribed God’s promise:  when you walk through the fire, you will not be scorched, nor will the flame burn you (Isa.43:2).  By faith, these young men “quenched the power of fire” (Heb.11:34).  Whether we face a metaphorical fiery furnace or the real thing, let us, too, resolve to bravely trust Almighty God!

                                                  Terry Siverd / Cortland Church of Christ