Faith in the Fire #3 (Studies in Daniel)

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Text: Daniel 3

Please turn to Psalm 44…listen to the struggle a believer in God faces
(Focus vs.1-4, 9-11, 17-22 (what will we do with the horrible forsaking?) vs.23-26)

Can you still trust me?

That question becomes all the more difficult with the addition of the one word ‘still’. In a world where at times we can be so tempted to become the Masters of our own ships or the controllers of our own fates, the word 'still' implies there might be evidence to not trust.
A father is trusted by his child to get her the toy she has wanted for a long time, the news comes out that the toy is soon going to be sold out: can you still trust me?
A doctor is trusted for medical care but before anything gets feeling better, we’re beginning to feel a lot worse: can you still trust me?
A teacher is trusted when she reminds some worrisome parents that their child is doing fine and progressing well but then the next test shows no real improvement: can you still trust me?
A God is trusted when He promises His people that He is good and His steadfast love endures forever but then bad things begin to happen or certain apparent pleasures are not yours to have: can you still trust me?

The great question really comes down to this:
do you only place your trust when everything goes exactly as you want?
If my spouse or parents don’t move the way I want them to or at the speed I want them to: I can’t trust them to do me right.
If my doctor doesn’t grant me instant health: I can’t trust him.
If my teacher doesn’t bring instant success scholastically: I can’t trust her.
If my God doesn’t save me from the trials of fire: Can I trust Him?

Please turn in your hymn books to 754 and listen closely to vs.2 (Faith of our Fathers)

Can you still trust me?

We have been looking at what I believe to be one of the most important passages of scripture of the Old Testament for Christians. Daniel and his three friends really are a story about still trusting in the goodness of God.
Basically the theme is one that many people throughout the ages can relate with:
Living under apparent defeat and yet maintaining your integrity before God.

In chapter 1- the Powerful forces against God attempt to assimilate the faithful to their culture and with resolve Daniel refuses to be conformed to his culture
In chapter 2- the issue is whether or not Man really rules. That God, if He does exist is actually powerless in the ways of the world. Daniel shows again that God indeed is still in control.

Now in chapter 3- the issue is who should you bow down before in worship?
We know it is right to bow before God, but is it wrong to bow before others as well?
Is it wrong to seek not only His will, but also the will of some other forces?

Turn to Daniel chapter 3….

3:1-7- The great image that Nebuchadnezzar sets up. In chapter 1, Neb gets a favourable opinion of Daniel and the three Hebrew children. In chapter 2, Daniel witnesses for God and Nebuchadnezzar declares Him God of gods and promotes Daniel and the three.
Now, however the king demands worship of an image he set up. Notice, he does not declare a command to cease your private worship of your personal god but in addition to whatever you might worship, you must bow before this image.
Our question is can someone who believes in the God of the Bible truly bow down before Him and another?
To make things interesting Nebuchadnezzar declares what the alternative is:
the fiery furnace. (vs.5,6)
Basically Nebuchadnezzar demands compliance to his decree or death.
There are two things:
  1. A great spectacle. Great concert.
  2. A great threat. Fiery furnace.
What do the crowds do? Vs.7- everybody bows down.
Nebuchadnezzar is using this act of worship not just to make everyone loyal to his religion but also loyal to the state! Everyone does it; the crowds simply bow to the pressure. Here is the question for the people of God: can you still trust me?

Vs.8-12- jealousy rears its ugly head!
Notice the Jews (the people of God) are accused.
Listen to these guys when they really kiss up to the king:
they repeat his decree word for word.
Now, there are certain Jews:
ones appointed! Not only that but ones you graciously appointed: Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego and they pay no attention to you. They don’t serve your gods and they don’t worship your image.
Remember the alternative: fiery furnace if you don’t.
These three men knew what the cost was by not compromising their faith. With death staring them in the face: how could they think of disobeying the king?
Think about what these men were actually putting on the line:
  1. They were willing to lose their positions. Here they are enjoying their stay in this foreign land, how could they think of disobeying the king?
    Why not just bow down before the image and then pray to God later?
  2. They weren’t willing to sacrifice their conscience. To these three Hebrews:
    the will & glory of Yahweh their God meant more than fame, position or even security. They knew the truth of Jesus’ question:
    what does it profit a man if he gains the whole world but lose his own soul? (Matthew 16:26)
Vs.13-18- The great statement of faith!
Power corrupts and absolute power corrupts absolutely.
This king like so many other ultimate powerful tyrants in history was liable to sudden outbursts of fury. He is furious and he brings the three in before him and wants to know if this is true? He gives them another chance!
Now think about this from Neb’s perspective:
Look at all he did for these three when he made them officials in Babylon. Now they show their ungratefulness by defying both him and his god.
But, when Neb gives them this chance at the end of 15 he ends up challenging their God!
Listen closely to the three:
  1. They recognize Neb as king! They do show a respect for his position over them. In vs.12 part of the charge was they paid no attention to him, that’s not entirely true. They are not rebellious towards the king.
  2. Their ultimate allegiance is to the King of kings alone!
Now listen to them:
If this be so—our God is able to deliver us out of your hand.
Now some have said that because of the next statement: these young men were not sure of God’s ability. That is not really what they are saying. They are not expressing one ounce of doubt in the ability of God, but in the will of God!
It is like the Psalmist crying out in Psalm 44 when cried for God to rise up and come to our aid.
These three are well aware of what the outcome is going to be unless God miraculously intervenes. They know they are going to die. What they are saying to the king is simply that they were ready to be burned up in the fiery furnace than betray their God whom they had committed their lives to.
So their words: But if not!

You know king: our God is able—He is the Almighty, He is the God of wonders. He has repeatedly delivered His people in the past.
But there have been many times that God has not delivered His saints from death. Sometimes prayer is not enough.
So they declare, God can deliver us, but if He doesn’t we will still trust Him!
Vs.19-25- The King breaks out in a rage and throws them down in the furnace, heated up 7 times hotter. Notice God does not save them from the furnace.
Vs.26-29- The King sees 4 men in the furnace and in amazement calls the three men out. How does he describe them?
Servants of the Most High God!
He challenged their god, now He greatly respects Him!

Look at the King’s answer in vs.28- He understands that their decision to set aside his command in order to follow their God was the proper one.
What a testimony:
they yielded up their bodies rather than serve and worship any god except their own God.

What about us today?
This story teaches us a number of important things for our own walks of faith:
  1. How can we stand firm in our faith under pressured circumstances?
    What is wrong with bowing down to something besides our God?
    Jesus said no one can serve two masters! Matthew 6:24- you will hate the one and love the other or be devoted to the one and despise the other. Will you bow only to God?
    Will you trust Him?
  2. You know we’re not often threatened with fiery furnaces today, but we do face the threat of losing things because of our faith. Can we trust God enough to know that even what might seem like the greatest happiness on earth cannot compare with having a conscience clear before Him?
  3. Our ultimate allegiance is to our King.
    There was something Neb had to learn from both chapters 2 & 3; he had no right to ask these servants of God to betray their God. They respected the king, but they bowed only to the true King.
    I have different allegiances in life, but I must make sure I bow only to my God. My wife has no right to ask me to betray or compromise my God! My kids, my parents, my friends, my church or my government have that same right either.
  4. Our God is able. We can trust Him because He is the God of wonders. He can do so many things that seem so impossible. We have personally seen faith move mountains. Our God is the God who can cause a 100 year old man to have a son of promise. He is the God who can send the mighty plagues and save a people. He is the God who can divide an entire sea and allow His people to pass through. He is the God who can send fire down from heaven and consume a sacrifice. He is the God who can walk on water. He is the God who can rescue from a lion’s den. He is the God who can heal the sick. He is the God who can rise from the dead.
    Genesis 17:1- walk before me and be blameless. I am God Almighty—trust me!
  5. But what about when it seems He isn’t?
    What about when we don’t receive rescue?
    What about when it seems too long or difficult a road?
    What if the sentence of death is upon us?
    At the end of this story, the three are delivered and everyone can say the right decision was made. What if they weren’t delivered?
    Hebrews 11:32-35a- notice the power of faith, the great miracles. But look at this:
    Hebrews 11:35b-40. My friends, the key to this chapter is ‘But if not’. Is it still better?
    The three men knew something that many today do not and we know something that these three men I don’t believe did. God has totally proven to us that it is always the right choice to trust Him. Hebrews 12:1,2- because of Jesus—he suffered the cross but is seated at God’s right hand. These men weren’t saved from the fiery furnace but in the fiery furnace.
    At times we will not be saved from the fire, but in the fire, and even through the fire. As a child of faith my vision as difficult as it is:
    Lord, if I must go through the storm, hold my hand and when the darkness is over and the storm clouds have rolled away I can hear my Saviour say, ‘everything is alright.’


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