Only Three Stood: Courage to Stand for God

Would You Have Stood?

Many of us have grown up hearing about Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego and the fiery furnace. This story is a favorite of Vacation Bible Schools in the summer. But can we really imagine what this was like? We know how the story ends, but have we considered what it took for those three men to stand before they knew how God would respond?

A Command to Worship a False God

In Daniel Chapter 3, King Nebuchadnezzar declared that all peoples and tongues should worship a large golden image. What the image was we don't know. Babylon was thronging with Jewish people and yet when the "cornet sounded" for people to fall down and worship this "god" only these three men stood up.

Don't you think they must have looked around thinking to themselves that their friends, coworkers, and family members would stand as well. Don't you think they never imagined that it would be they alone who would stand up for the true God. Imagine yourself in that crowd, knowing what the punishment would be if you stood. Would you, fearing death, kneel; while in your heart you knew that the golden image was not your God?

Courage to Stand Firm in Faith

When these brave three stood facing King Nebuchadnezzar they were able to stand because they abounded in hope and faith. They knew that God could deliver them if He chose, but even if they weren't delivered, they still would not bow before a false idol. Their courage was not dependent on a promise of rescue. They knew the stakes—death to those who would not obey.

God Was with Them in the Fire

Enraged, the King ordered the fire to be made even hotter than before. As the three men were hauled up to the furnace the men who came near to throw them in perished from the heat. What did the King see amidst the flames? He saw them all walking about and a fourth man, and who was "like unto the Son of God."

The flames did not devour them. When the king called Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego out of the furnace, their clothes were not burned, their hair was not singed and they did not even smell of smoke.

Because of the courage of three men, out of thousands, the king recognized the power of God. Now the king promises to kill people if they speak against the God of the Jews. As the king says, there "is no other God that can deliver after this sort" (Daniel 3:28-29).

Courage to Stand for God Today

Could we be this courageous? I think most of us view ourselves as courageous people, but are we? Do we find it difficult to stand up for God in today's world even without the threat of death? Can we be bold in declaring who our hope is? If we find it difficult to stand for God now, what happens if things become even more difficult?

We may not face a golden image or a fiery furnace, but we can face pressure to remain silent about our faith, approve of what we believe is wrong, or put acceptance and success ahead of obedience to God. Just as Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego refused to compromise their faith, we are called to examine our own lives and identify what might be pulling us away from wholehearted devotion to God.

Are there things we "bow to" in subtle ways—by prioritizing them over time with God, obedience to His Word, or living out our faith boldly? Wealth, technology, popularity, or professional success are not automatically idols. The question is whether we allow something to take God's place or lead us to disobey Him. Their story challenges us to stand firm, even when cultural norms or pressures push us toward compromise.

Pray for courage. Pray for the ability to stand when others, be it family, friends or coworkers, do not. Remember the words of Moses in Deuteronomy 31:6, "Be strong and of a good courage, fear not, nor be afraid of them: for the Lord thy God, he it is that doth go with thee; he will not fail thee, nor forsake thee."

In Psalm 24:8 David says,

"Who is this King of glory? The Lord strong and mighty, the Lord mighty in battle."

We don't go out alone. We go with our King of Glory!

Will You Stand?