“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.

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

In the book of Daniel, chapter three; we find 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 did not waver in their faith. The response given to Nebuchadnezzar speaks volumes of where their hearts lay: Daniel 3:17-18 states “If it be so, our God whom we serve can 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 will still not bow down to your gods and worship your golden image; and as the scriptures give us the end of this account, God delivered Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego out of the fiery furnace that day!

Where do you stand- are you willing to compromise your principles in the word of God and His saving grace for a man, woman, positions/ titles, job, additional finances, to fit in or belong? Only the things that we do for Christ will last. “For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.” Matthew 6:21.

Where is your faith? Just like the three Hebrews boys, we must stand and say if He will or if he will not, He is still my God and whatever way He chooses to provide and deliver me is okay! “And they that know thy name will put their trust in thee: for thou, Lord, hast not forsaken them that seek thee.” Psalm 9:10.

So, let us check ourselves in every area; resolving to stand on our convictions, proclaiming Christ and striving to live in obedience to the will of our Heavenly Father – no matter the cost! “For what shall it profit a man, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul?” Mark 8:36.

God is the lover and safe keeper of our souls; and whatever He has planned for our lives, is far greater than anything this world can offer!

Gods’ peace, grace, and mercy be with us all.