They were men amongst boys. Not by age, as they were kids just like the rest of them, but by maturity and attitude. They knew who they were and what they believed so strongly that not even the king’s wrath would change that.
When the King of Babylon captured Jerusalem, he took the finest young men and immersed them in Babylonian culture in an effort to shift the mindset of the entire people. Well, four of them simply refused to comply. First, instead of eating and drinking the rich Babylonian diet, they ate only vegetables and water. The result was that Daniel, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego all grew stronger and healthier than the rest of the captured children.
Then, when an edict came down requiring everyone to worship the golden statue the king had erected or die, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego chose to take their chances in the fire rather than compromise their beliefs. So…into the furnace they went.
"But suddenly, Nebuchadnezzar jumped up in amazement and exclaimed to his advisers, 'Didn't we tie up three men and throw them into the furnace?' 'Yes, Your Majesty, we certainly did,' they replied. 'Look!' Nebuchadnezzar shouted. 'I see four men, unbound, walking around in the fire unharmed! And the fourth looks like a god!" (Daniel 3:24-25)
Belief systems are so strong, you simply cannot operate against them.
As my children were growing up, I always encouraged them to predetermine their choices before being faced with them. If they waited until faced with a decision to go left or right, it was too late. The temptation would overwhelm them, and the world would make the decision for them if they weren't secure in their beliefs.
Do you have a set of beliefs that you simply won't compromise on? Are those beliefs in alignment with God or popular culture? Are they ever present in your mind so that, as you go through your day, they serve as a filter for your actions and responses?
Life is super tough. Personal choices, business decisions, and family situations are being thrown at all of us every day. In every one of these moments, there is a choice between what's safe and what's right. There are always people who disagree, question, and chastise you for your choices. That's okay as long as those choices are based on what you believe and your belief system is aligned with God.
Have the courage of these three Israelite boys to stand firm on what you believe. Trust that even when the world throws you into the furnace for not bowing down to public opinion that there will be a fourth man in the fire with you keeping you safe.
