-By way of introduction, I would like to give a brief look at the three young men, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah, better known by the names given to them Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego
-Their Hebrew names could be interpreted as ...Daniel “God is my judge”...Hananiah “God is gracious to me”...Mishael “He who is as God”....Azariah “God is my help”
-According to Dan 1:6, we know that they were of the tribe of Judah, along with Daniel.
-These men along with Daniel could have been from the royal lineage of Judah, and likely of the house of David
-We are told in Dan 1:17 that they had knowledge from God and skill in all learning and wisdom
-We also see in Dan 1 that these men would not defile themselves by eating the king's meat or drinking his wine, but after being proved, the king found them to be 10 times better than all of the magicians and astrologers that were with him already
-In Dan 2:48-49 we see that because of God's blessing on Daniel, he was made a great man in Babylon, and, at Daniel's request, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah were also set over the affairs of Babylon
-I want to pick up reading in chapter 3 where King Nebuchadnezzar has had a statue of himself erected that stood 90-100' high and 10' wide and commanded all when the music played to bow down and worship the image.
Dan 3:8-19 Wherefore at that time certain Chaldeans came near, and accused the Jews. (9) They spake and said to the king Nebuchadnezzar, O king, live for ever. (10) Thou, O king, hast made a decree, that every man that shall hear the sound of the cornet, flute, harp, sackbut, psaltery, and dulcimer, and all kinds of musick, shall fall down and worship the golden image: (11) And whoso falleth not down and worshippeth, that he should be cast into the midst of a burning fiery furnace. (12) There are certain Jews whom thou hast set over the affairs of the province of Babylon, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego; these men, O king, have not regarded thee: they serve not thy gods, nor worship the golden image which thou hast set up. (13) Then Nebuchadnezzar in his rage and fury commanded to bring Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego. Then they brought these men before the king. (14) Nebuchadnezzar spake and said unto them, Is it true, O Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, do not ye serve my gods, nor worship the golden image which I have set up? (15) Now if ye be ready that at what time ye hear the sound of the cornet, flute, harp, sackbut, psaltery, and dulcimer, and all kinds of musick, ye fall down and worship the image which I have made; well: but if ye worship not, ye shall be cast the same hour into the midst of a burning fiery furnace; and who is that God that shall deliver you out of my hands? (16) Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, answered and said to the king, O Nebuchadnezzar, we are not careful to answer thee in this matter. (17) If it be so, our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the burning fiery furnace, and he will deliver us out of thine hand, O king. (18) But if not, be it known unto thee, O king, that we will not serve thy gods, nor worship the golden image which thou hast set up. (19) Then was Nebuchadnezzar full of fury, and the form of his visage was changed against Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego: therefore he spake, and commanded that they should heat the furnace one seven times more than it was wont to be heated.
WITHOUT HESITATION – To stop because of uncertainty, doubt, making a judgement
1 – FAITH
-We see incredible faith exercised by these three young men
-Dan 3:6 And whoso falleth not down and worshippeth shall the same hour be cast into the midst of a burning fiery furnace.
-S, M, A knew the consequences for not bowing and not worshiping, but we see that they were quick to give an answer to the king
-Dan 3:16 Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, answered and said to the king, O Nebuchadnezzar, we are not careful to answer thee in this matter.
-They not only answered quickly, but decisively
Dan 3:17-18 If it be so, our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the burning fiery furnace, and he will deliver us out of thine hand, O king. (18) But if not, be it known unto thee, O king, that we will not serve thy gods, nor worship the golden image which thou hast set up.
-How many of us knowing that if we refuse to do something against God that a furnace awaits to deliver a fiery, painful death would stand firm?
-The interesting thing here is that in {vs 19}, the king in his anger at their disobedience to his command, cranked the furnace up 7 times hotter, which would have instantly consumed S, M, A....good for them, less suffering which is what the furnace was created for to start with...on the other hand, God received all the more glory for the deliverance of these men from the furnace
-S, M, A were not only quick to answer because they knew God could deliver them, they would have had the same answer if God would not deliver them from the furnace
-Heb 11:6 But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.
-Without faith, we will not please God
-How will we witness? How will we trust God with our finances? How can we pray for the sick?
-To those who may be unsaved, you MUST believe
Rom 10:9-10 That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. (10) For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.
-If you are one who must have a scientific answer for everything, one who doesn't believe that the Lord can use Godly men to preserve his Word, you will have little chance of being saved. There are things that must be taken by faith...we do it all of the time.
Gal 2:16 Knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law, but by the faith of Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Jesus Christ, that we might be justified by the faith of Christ, and not by the works of the law: for by the works of the law shall no flesh be justified.
-No works will get you to heaven...no righteous thing that we do will suffice.
2 – PRAYER
Dan 2:16-19 Then Daniel went in, and desired of the king that he would give him time, and that he would shew the king the interpretation. (17) Then Daniel went to his house, and made the thing known to Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah, his companions: (18) That they would desire mercies of the God of heaven concerning this secret; that Daniel and his fellows should not perish with the rest of the wise men of Babylon. (19) Then was the secret revealed unto Daniel in a night vision. Then Daniel blessed the God of heaven.
-S,M,A were quick to pray for Daniel
-We are told that it was revealed in a night vision, I believe it was that very night. It was an urgent prayer by faithful men of God, men of great faith as we have seen, and God revealed to Daniel, and Daniel only that which not even Nebuchadnezzar could remember.
-How much better is it when others are praying on our behalf with us?
-I have said many times, that I am much more comforted when those who I know are prayer warriors say they have been or are praying for me than those who say they are praying for me and are not even saved. I take no comfort at all in that.
-Psa 66:18 If I regard iniquity in my heart, the Lord will not hear me:
-Pro 15:29 The LORD is far from the wicked: but he heareth the prayer of the righteous.
-This is not just talking about the lost who don't know the Lord we are talking about, if you are saved and you are carrying around unconfessed sin, then don't waste your time lifting up prayers to the Lord.
-1Pe 3:12 For the eyes of the Lord are over the righteous, and his ears are open unto their prayers: but the face of the Lord is against them that do evil.
-S,M,A were men of great faith and I believe when Daniel came to them with his urgent request, and it was urgent, their very lives were at stake, they were prepared to pray because they were right with the Lord
-How about you? If someone came to you today and said please pray for me, would you be prepared to do so? Could you without hesitation pray for that need?
3 – OBEDIENCE
-Dan 3:18 But if not, be it known unto thee, O king, that we will not serve thy gods, nor worship the golden image which thou hast set up.
-Their disobedience to Nebuchadnezzar was obedience to God
-Lev 19:4 Turn ye not unto idols, nor make to yourselves molten gods: I am the LORD your God.
-The laws of God are pertinent for us today
-They were quick to obey God's command not to turn to idols or to bow down to them
-They had the faith that God could deliver them, they had the boldness to endure if he would not, and they, no doubt, were praying at that very moment for the courage and strength of God to stand firm against the evil that they were facing
-Mat 10:28 And fear not them which kill the body, but are not able to kill the soul: but rather fear him which is able to destroy both soul and body in hell.
-1Pe 3:14-16 But and if ye suffer for righteousness' sake, happy are ye: and be not afraid of their terror, neither be troubled; (15) But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear: (16) Having a good conscience; that, whereas they speak evil of you, as of evildoers, they may be ashamed that falsely accuse your good conversation in Christ.
-How many of us would be able to stand in the face of a mighty king and say no to his command when we know that death is the consequence?
-We have not been called to do that, but look at our nation, at this world, getting worse by the day.
-The Voice Of The Martyrs
Php 2:7-8 But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men: (8) And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.
-Christ was obedient to the will of the Father and laid down his life for you and I
-Even though he could have called 10000 angels to his aid, he remained obedient to the cruel cross of Calvary
-This world, and more notably, this nation is increasingly becoming more hostile to Christians
Mat 10:25 It is enough for the disciple that he be as his master, and the servant as his lord. If they have called the master of the house Beelzebub, how much more shall they call them of his household?
-We should not be surprised that the world hates us as they hate Christ
WITHOUT RESERVATION – Withholding, concealing
1 – THE GOOD NEWS
Dan 3:16-17 Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, answered and said to the king, O Nebuchadnezzar, we are not careful to answer thee in this matter. (17) If it be so, our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the burning fiery furnace, and he will deliver us out of thine hand, O king.
-Not only were S,A, M not careful, having no fear and taking no thought in this matter, but they were quick to give an answer....they were ready
1Pe 3:15 But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear:
-That is not meekness as where they can hardly hear you, but with humility...speaking the truth in love
-And not with fear as being afraid, but with the reverence of God
Mat 5:14-16 Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid. (15) Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house. (16) Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.
-Don't hide your lights under a bushel, but let it out, let it shine even in the face of peril, that is what we were called to do. There is no message more important than the Gospel of Christ
2 – THE DUE PRAISE
Dan 2:19-23 Then was the secret revealed unto Daniel in a night vision. Then Daniel blessed the God of heaven. (20) Daniel answered and said, Blessed be the name of God for ever and ever: for wisdom and might are his: (21) And he changeth the times and the seasons: he removeth kings, and setteth up kings: he giveth wisdom unto the wise, and knowledge to them that know understanding: (22) He revealeth the deep and secret things: he knoweth what is in the darkness, and the light dwelleth with him. (23) I thank thee, and praise thee, O thou God of my fathers, who hast given me wisdom and might, and hast made known unto me now what we desired of thee: for thou hast now made known unto us the king's matter.
-Psa 7:17 I will praise the LORD according to his righteousness: and will sing praise to the name of the LORD most high.
-Psa 21:13 Be thou exalted, LORD, in thine own strength: so will we sing and praise thy power.
-Psa 22:22 I will declare thy name unto my brethren: in the midst of the congregation will I praise thee.
-Psa 28:7 The LORD is my strength and my shield; my heart trusted in him, and I am helped: therefore my heart greatly rejoiceth; and with my song will I praise him.
-Psa 35:18 I will give thee thanks in the great congregation: I will praise thee among much people.
-Psa 56:4 In God I will praise his word, in God I have put my trust; I will not fear what flesh can do unto me.
-Psa 63:3 Because thy lovingkindness is better than life, my lips shall praise thee.
-Which are we today? Are we the one who gave thanks, or the nine who never bothered?
-Do we harbor the glory to ourselves as Herod, or are we quick to give God his due praise as Daniel?
-What about you? Is your faith without hesitation? Is your prayer without hesitation? Is your obedience without hesitation? What about your witness...are you hiding it? Do people even know that you are a Christian? Do you hold back your praise and thanks?
