The Image of the King
Daniel 3:1-2 (NASB), "Nebuchadnezzar the king made an image of gold, the height of which was sixty cubits and its width six cubits; he set it up on the plain of Dura in the province of Babylon. 2 Then Nebuchadnezzar the king sent word to assemble the satraps, the prefects and the governors, the counselors, the treasurers, the judges, the magistrates and all the rulers of the provinces to come to the dedication of the image that Nebuchadnezzar the king had set up."
Daniel c3
Daniel Chapter 3
The Kings Decree & Consequences
Daniel 3:4-7 (NASB), "... all the peoples, nations and men of every language fell down and worshiped the golden image that Nebuchadnezzar the king had set up."
"Fall Down and worship ..." This has been Satans theme since the moment sin was first found in him. Satan seeks to be God, to take His place, and take God's glory for himself. History is full of stories of evil men seeking their own fame and fortune at the expense of others, They do the work of their father satan and it will continue until Jesus comes back. The best this world has to off is just filthy rags in the eyes of God, Satan still demands to be worshiped even still today, so we find nothing new here, Its the same old story, but, God will always have a people who are willing to take a stand for Him. In Daniel c3 we find the story of three young men who would not bend their knees to a golden image.
Three Young Men stand for God
It must have taken some time for the Persians to build this golden image of the king. Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-nego must have known what was coming and already knew what they must do. They would have to defy the king's command and that would cost them their lives.
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You might be thinking if it were you, you would just bow down get it over with and go on doing what you normally do. But the three young men saw it differently, if they did bow down it would ruin their testimony before the king and before their God whom they have sworn to serve. Once you compromise a belief, you find that no one will believe you again. These three young men would not compromise, for they loved God too much. They would take a stand and this was going to be it.
God rewards Faithfulness
Shadrach, Meshach and Abed-nego refused to worship the golden idol and pretty much told the king "you might as well throw us in the fire." Then one of the greatest professions of faith, that their God will rescue them out of the fire and if not then we still have not worshiped you.
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There comes a time in everyone's life when you just have to say no to the world and stand for God. You might not like the consequences, but then your faith will carry you through and this time Jesus showed up and everything changed. Great circumstances demand great faith.
The Testimony Factor
The greatest thing you have is the love in your heart and the record of your testimony that is recorded in heaven. It is the eternal record of how you lived your life and the decisions you made. From the testimony of you comes eternal rewards at the Judgment Seat of Christ. One day Jesus will reward your acts of kindness and of faith and love. He longs to give you good gifts (Mt.11:17) for good gifts come from your Father's hand, and so they shall.
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Shadrach, Meshach and Abed-nego's faith was honored and the result was that King Nebuchadnezzar acknowledged (v28-29) that their God saved them from the fire. As a result of their faith before the king v30 "Then the king caused Shadrach, Meshach and Abed-nego to prosper in the province of Babylon." ... Faith rewarded!
