Without Hesitation; Without Reservation

-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?