Persistent Courage in the Face of Persecution

"Then Nebuchadnezzar, in rage and fury, gave the command to bring Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-Nego. So they brought these men before the king. Nebuchadnezzar spoke, saying to them, “Is it true, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-Nego, that you do not serve my gods or worship the gold image which I have set up? Now if you are ready at the time you hear the sound of the horn, flute, harp, lyre, and psaltery, in symphony with all kinds of music, and you fall down and worship the image which I have made, good! But if you do not worship, you shall be cast immediately into the midst of a burning fiery furnace. And who is the god who will deliver you from my hands?” Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-Nego answered and said to the king, “O Nebuchadnezzar, we have no need to answer you in this matter. If that is the case, 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. 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." (Daniel 3:13-18, NKJV)

Three Hebrew men faced a tough situation and a death sentence because they refused to compromise their faith and beliefs. They rejected King Nebuchadnezzar's command to worship a golden image that measured 75 feet high and 9 feet wide. The satraps (provincial governors), administrators, governors, counselors, treasurers, judges, magistrates, and all the officials of the provinces fell down and worshipped the golden image (Daniel 3:7). 

Talk about peer pressure, being castigated, being bombarded with godless ideologies!. The three Jews faced all that but refused to worship the idol; as far as they were concerned only God deserved worship. They were prepared to die for their faith in God. They were put to the test and God allowed it to happen. 

WHAT WOULD YOU DO IN THE FACE OF SEVERE PERSECUTION? Would you capitulate to your persecutors for fear of death? No one likes to be persecuted, but as far as the Christian faith is concerned it is a reality. The Bible says, "yes, and all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution." (2 Timothy 3:12). Anyone who wants to live a godly life, honoring God, walking in holiness and righteousness, preaching the Gospel and making disciples will suffer persecution. That is the reality and there is no way circumventing that. 

Oh sure, you don't hear that in many churches today. The emphasis is on the name-and-claim-it mentality. Many Christians would not even entertain the thought of persecution let alone be prepared for it. Their so-called faith is only as good as their bank balance. Many would not mind compromising for the goodies of this earthly life. Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego who were friends of Daniel were different. The lives exemplified God's Word in Daniel 11:32, "Those who do wickedly against the covenant he shall corrupt with flattery; but the people who know their God shall be strong, and carry out great exploits"

Nebuchadnezzar confronted the three Hebrew men and even offered to pardon them if they bowed down to the image at the sound of the musical instruments. Nebuchadnezzar took their refusal personally but before they were thrown into the fiery furnace, they had this to say.

"O Nebuchadnezzar, we have no need to answer you in this matter. If that is the case, 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. 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." (Daniel 3:16-18)

This was a profound statement. Basically the three Jewish men affirmed their complete trust in God, His faithfulness and His omnipotence. But they also acknowledged His sovereignty. God cannot be cajoled into doing anything. He calls the shots in His own time. He decides who receives a blessing and when. Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego knew that and told Nebuchadnezzar that even if God decided not to deliver them, they would not bow down to the golden image. DO YOU HAVE SUCH A CONVICTION ABOUT YOUR FAITH  IN JESUS? ARE YOU PREPARED TO DIE FOR JESUS?

I can tell you that such conviction is not manufactured on the spot; it is not purchased in a super store; it is not a function of sensationalism or political correctness; it is not obtained by wishful thinking and it certainly is not something that your talents and abilities can produce. IT COMES FROM HAVING AN INTIMATE RELATIONSHIP WITH JESUS. 

You see, the Hebrew men demonstrated on that day of reckoning what was already going on in their lives. You cannot give what you do not have. Persecution will come our way in one form or another but we do not have to fear. We should walk by faith and not by sight, developing an intimate relationship with our Heavenly Father through Jesus our Lord and Saviour by the power of the Holy Spirit. God told Joshua after Moses had died,

"Be strong and of good courage, for to this people you shall divide as an inheritance the land which I swore to their fathers to give them. Only be strong and very courageous, that you may observe to do according to all the law which Moses My servant commanded you; do not turn from it to the right hand or to the left, that you may [prosper wherever you go." (Joshua 1:6-7)

In the face of persecution, persistent courage is required. As we put our trust in God wholeheartedly, God will guide us, and keep us running the race to the end, even in the face of stiff opposition (Proverbs 3:5-7). May the good Lord keep you, strengthen you, bless you and prosper you according to His perfect will as you draw near to Him today and always in Jesus' Name.