Introduction:
The Bible tells us several times in the New Testament to “Stand Firm.” Paul, when he tells us to put on the whole armor of God, says to “stand firm.” Paul in writing to the Corinthians tells them to “stand firm.” Once again, Paul this time writing from prison to the church at Philippi, tells them to “stand firm.” And then there is Peter who tells us in 1 Peter to be firm in your faith. So obviously we are to “stand firm” in our faith but what does that really mean.
Today, as I take you back to the plain of Dura, I think we get a good picture of what “standing firm” means. And we can make some observations what “standing firm” means. And then I hope during the invitation time you can honestly answer the question, “Are you standing firm in your faith?”
So back to the plain of Dura we go, and some three hundred thousand people have gathered there to see the great statue make of gold that King Nebuchadnezzar had commissioned of himself.
We are told that the king has invited all the officials from all the provinces that he controlled. We know that the Chaldeans are present, so we know that all the native-born wise men of the provinces was issued an invite to attend. Besides them, we know that Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-Nego were in attendance. So that would mean the invitation would have also included all the young men of Judah that the master of the eunuchs would have gathered up. And it said in Chapter 1 it included some of King’s descendants, some children from a noble heritage, and some children of Israel, in whom there was no blemish and gifted in all knowledge. I looked at various resources and the number that was estimated taken back to Babylon was about ten thousand. These young Israel men would be in attendance at this big event also.
So now, with the gathering of some three hundred thousand people, we will find out what “standing firm” means.
Point #1
STANDING FIRM MEANS AT TIMES YOU ARE STANDING ALONE OR STANDING WITH JUST A FEW.
Daniel 3:12 (NKJV)
12 There are certain Jews (not all the Jews but just certain Jews) whom you have set over the affairs of the province of Babylon: Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-Nego; these men, O king, have not paid due regard to you. They do not serve your gods or worship the gold image which you have set up.”
Go back to that gathering in the plain of Dora. There are many Jews in attendance that have been exiled to Babylon just like Shadrach, Meshach and Abed-Nego and they all hear the king’s herald announce:
Daniel 3:5–6 (NKJV)
5 that at the time you hear the sound of the horn, flute, harp, lyre, and psaltery, in symphony with all kinds of music, you shall fall down and worship the gold image that King Nebuchadnezzar has set up; 6 and whoever does not fall down and worship shall be cast immediately into the midst of a burning fiery furnace.”
Three hear the announcement and say to themselves, “I am not going to bow down to that statue no matter what the consequences.” But when the other Jews heard the announcement, they said to themselves, “I will do what I have to do not to be thrown in the fiery furnace.” It is about my safety and security.
Three were honoring God; three were standing firm but they probably felt all alone. It probably crossed their mind, “Why are we doing this alone? Where are the other Jewish men that were exiled to Babylon with us?”
I wonder if Job felt all alone when his wife turned on him and told him to curse God and die.
I wonder if the Jesus felt all alone when Peter denied Him for the third time in the courtyard.
I wonder if the Apostle Paul felt all alone when James, the head of the church of Jerusalem did not come to his defense when Paul was taken off to the Roman Garrison.
I wonder if the Apostle John exiled to the Isle of Patmos felt all alone.
Point #2
STANDING FIRM MEANS YOUR RELATIONSHIP WITH JESUS STAYS THE SAME WHETHER HE TAKES YOU AROUND THE PROBLEM OR HE TAKES YOU THROUGH THE PROBLEM.
Daniel 3:20 (NKJV)
20 And he commanded certain mighty men of valor who were in his army to bind Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-Nego, and cast them into the burning fiery furnace.
Could God have taken Shadrach, Meshach and Abed-Nego around the problem. He surely could of! I image that He could have sent a bolt of lightning from heaven and smashed that furnace into a thousand pieces. Or God could have opened up the earth underneath the furnace and it could have fallen into the depths of the earth. Or God could have blinded the eyes of those certain men of valor so that they could not find the entrance of the furnace to push the three men into.
Instead of taking these three Jewish men around the fire, He took them through the fire. We don’t like that. We want God to always take us around the problem, but we are told that real growth occurs when He takes us through the problem.
James 1:2–4 (NKJV)
2 My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, 3 knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience. 4 But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing.
This week, I went to the car wash in McComb to get those messy love bug splatters off the front of my car and off my windshield. And as I was vacuuming out my car, I saw a lady that I knew. The last time I saw her she was on fire for God. She was going to church every time the doors were open, telling others about Jesus, and just excited about being a Christian.
I asked her how her relationship with Jesus is going and she said it isn’t. I have some family problems and God did not remove those problems; I had some financial problems and God did not remove those problems; I needed some help from my church, and no one came to my aid.
And what she will basically telling me that I didn’t stand firm because God did not take me around my problem. He had me walk through them.
If the empty seats in this church could talk, I am sure we would hear, I quit coming to church because God didn’t do what I thought He should have done.
If you are going to stand firm, you got to get to the mindset that I know my God can take me around the trial but even if He don’t and I have to walk through this trial I will continue to serve Him.
That is exactly what these three Jewish men told King Nebuchadnezzar.
Daniel 3:17–18 (NKJV)
17 ... 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. 18 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.”
Point #3
STANDING FIRM MEANS THAT I DO NOT HOP FENCES. I BELONG TO JESUS SO I STAY ON HIS SIDE OF THE FENCE. I DON’T TRY TO HOP OVER TO THE WORLD’S SIDE OF THE FENCE FOR A LITTLE WHILE.
In Chapter 3 there is a whole lot of fence hoping.
First, there are all the other Jewish men who were exiled from Judea to Babylon that while they were in Israel worshipped Yahweh but now at the announcement of the herald and the treat of a fiery furnace hopped the fence to the side of the world. It was the world turning up the pressure that had them hop the fence.
Secondly, there is King Nebuchadnezzar who is on the side of the world.
Daniel 3:15 (NKJV) Nebuchadnezzar hearing what they had to say, he replied:
15 ... And who is the god who will deliver you from my hands?”
But after seeing that God spared the lives of the three men jumps to the Jesus side of the fence. But he will not stay there, he will jump back to the side of the world. But for the moment jumps to the Jesus side of the fence.
Daniel 3:28
“Nebuchadnezzar spoke, saying, “Blessed be the God of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-Nego, who sent His Angel and delivered His servants...
And then there is the three young men. Before the announcement of the herald, they were on Jesus’ side of the fence. After the announcement of the herald, they are on Jesus’ side of the fence. When they are standing before the king, they are on Jesus’ side of the fence. As the men of valor brig these Jewish men to be thrown in the fiery furnace, they are on Jesus’ side of the fence. And when they are taken out of the furnace unharmed, they are on Jesus’ side of the fence. No fence hopping for these guys, and there should not be any fence hopping for us who call ourselves Christian.
The Big Question
Knowing what I now know about standing firm. Am I standing firm?
