June 13: OWN YOUR FAITH
Then the king promoted Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-Nego in the province of Babylon. Daniel 3:30
The charges of disobedience and treason levied against Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah—renamed Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-Nego by the Babylonians—having been dismissed, were immediately followed by official restoration to the king’s court. These young men were not only restored to the king’s court, but they were promoted by the king. The experience of the Hebrew youth in the land of Shinar affords a priceless lesson for us all: a picture of ultimate victory for God’s faithful ones. And, though there are metaphorical limitations due to the earthly setting of this story, the picture thus projected onto the mindscreen of the reader is a heavenly one.
It also provides insight into the last days of earth’s history. This is exactly why Jesus points us to Daniel’s book, having cited lawlessness (Matthew 24:12) as the cause of love that grows cold. The fact that Daniel’s three friends stood faithful in Daniel’s absence—while the crowd bowed low before Nebuchadnezzar’s image—is proof that their faith was their own.
With today’s verse, chapter 3 of Daniel is brought to its close. Coming next is the amazing testimony of King Nebuchadnezzar. Though he was not yet fully converted when he promoted Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-Nego, the LORD continued to work in his life. Glory!
The world’s current events show that it is sinking fast into its final season of rebellion against God. This sad development is accompanied by a universal call to every individual for a lively faith that will not falter. God is calling His children to manifest a faith that joyfully conforms to His will in every respect. Those who desire such a faith are divinely guided and supernaturally upheld. This is true for every individual whose mind is yielded to the will of God which is found in the word of God. The book of Revelation tells us that the central issue is worship, which is the expression of faith. We are to have the faith of Jesus (Revelation 14:12).
The intensity with which the world, inspired by Satan, will place upon Christ’s followers to go against His commands will be unmatched by any other season in all of earth’s history (see Daniel 12:1 and Matthew 24:21). Many of God’s true servants will be charged with wrongdoing and handed over to suffer humiliation and abuse at the hands of a united church/state system of government infested with religious bigotry. It will seem, for a time, that those who bow to this system are blessed. But within the hearts of those loyal to Jesus, the commands of sinful, finite men sink into insignificance beside the word of the eternal, unchanging God. His abiding presence will sustain and comfort, empowering His children to stand firm.
The story in Daniel 3 demonstrates a challenge to the second commandment regarding idolatry, but by honoring this commandment, the three young men also honored the first, having no other gods before God, and the third, taking His name, character, and reputation among men seriously. We are soon to enter upon a public challenge to the fourth commandment that will intensify beyond all reason. Best to get ready now!
Jesus said, “If you love Me, keep My commandments.” John 14:15 (see also Mark 7:7-13)