“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.” Daniel 3:18 (KJV)

“If you don’t stand for something, you will fall for anything.” —Alexander Hamilton; this old adage clearly points out that we must take courage and stand on our convictions. The fact is when we lay down our principles; we’ve lost our character or who we really are.

The account of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego being cast into the fiery furnace provides for us what courage and confidence in God looks like in dismal circumstances. They stood on their belief in God; the refusal to serve another God was a life or death situation. However, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego did not hesitate whether they should comply or not.

The penalty for not serving the “gods” of Nebuchadnezzar was sudden death in the fiery furnace; but these men didn’t waver in they’re faith.  The response given to Nebuchadnezzar speaks volumes of where their hearts lied: Daniel 3:17-18 (KJV) “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. 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.”

In other words they were saying, If it be so, or if it is in the will of God for us, our God will deliver us this day out of your hands, because He is able…and if He chooses not to, we’re still not bowing down to your “gods” and worship your golden image; and we know the end of this account, God delivered Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego out of the fiery furnace that day.

Where do you stand? Will you hold to your convictions and courage in God? God is able to deliver His children one way or the other.  Just like the three Hebrews boys, we must stand and say if He will or if he won’t, He is still my God and whatever way he chooses to deliver me, I’m on the Lord’s side!

We are to be humble in our replies, but we must have no doubts about our obedience to God; Peter stated like this in Acts 5:29 (KJV) “Then Peter and the other apostles answered and said, We ought to obey God rather than men.” Our God is sovereign and omnipotent are you standing on the Lord’s side!

God blessings and grace to us all.