Trial by Fire

(Daniel 3:1-20)

Yearly Theme:  “Peace is…”

Series Title:  “Difficult Peace”

August 15^th, 2021

Something to think about:

As we continue our series today, entitled “Difficult Peace,” we backtrack a little from Daniel chapter 6 (which we explored last week) with Daniel and the Lions’ Den, and look at chapter 3 of Daniel and the story of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego.  Servants of King Nebuchadnezzar in the royal court of Babylon, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego are faced with one of the most difficult decisions of their lives.  Will they honor their loyalty to Nebuchadnezzar and compromise their worship of GOD, or will they honor their loyalty to GOD above all else and risk their own lives?

It's the unwillingness to live by other people’s conventions and expectations that has found its way into the Christian life and community as martyrs throughout the centuries have proved over and over again.  To stand counter to the world isn’t just a novel idea, or a rebellious sentiment, but rather a reality for the believer in Christ as an everyday choice to put GOD first in everything. 

As we explore the story of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, let us find insight, understanding, and hope in their steely determination and unwavering commitment to GOD above all else…

Turn in your Bibles to:  Daniel 3:1-20

Trial by fire, though difficult, isn’t always bad, because it helps to shape and mold us into people fit for GOD’s Kingdom.  Fire can only consume that which is brittle and impure, but it purifies what is solid and good.  If a person’s life is consumed by mostly worldly thoughts, ideas, customs, and traditions the fire can feel destructive, but if a person is willing to go through the fires of trials and difficulty with the focus on and a complete surrender to GOD, what is left is unbreakably pure and good.

What Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego learned is that life ultimately boils down to trust.  This trust in GOD gave them a peace no matter the fire they faced.

Key Point:  “Complete trust in GOD is the key to complete peace.”

What does complete trust look like?  Let’s break this down…

• One  .

Daniel 3:12 (NLT), ¹² But there are some Jews—Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego—whom you have put in charge of the province of Babylon. They pay no attention to you, Your Majesty. They refuse to serve your gods and do not worship the gold statue you have set up.”

• One  .

Daniel 3:13-15 (NLT), ¹³ Then Nebuchadnezzar flew into a rage and ordered that Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego be brought before him. When they were brought in, ¹⁴ Nebuchadnezzar said to them, “Is it true, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, that you refuse to serve my gods or to worship the gold statue I have set up? ¹⁵ I will give you one more chance to bow down and worship the statue I have made when you hear the sound of the musical instruments. But if you refuse, you will be thrown immediately into the blazing furnace. And then what god will be able to rescue you from my power?”

• One  .

Daniel 3:16-18 (NLT), ¹⁶ Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego replied, “O Nebuchadnezzar, we do not need to defend ourselves before you. ¹⁷ If we are thrown into the blazing furnace, the God whom we serve is able to save us. He will rescue us from your power, Your Majesty. ¹⁸ But even if he doesn’t, we want to make it clear to you, Your Majesty, that we will never serve your gods or worship the gold statue you have set up.”

Something to take home:

Where do your loyalties lie?  Where is your faith rooted?  What is your relationship to Christ like?  Is there anything that would cause you to walk away from GOD?  Is there any reason you haven’t made a commitment of faith to GOD in Christ?  All of these questions are vital and need to be answered by everyone.  The truth is, we all die, but what we die for is most important.  Put it another way, we all have life, but it’s what (or Who) you live for that makes an eternal difference.

Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego found peace in facing the fire of punishment for their faith in GOD, and you can have that same type of peace today.

Key Point:  “Complete trust in GOD is the key to complete peace.”