If our God, whom we serve,
can save us from the white-hot furnace
and from your hands, O king, may he save us!
But even if he will not, know, O king,
that we will not serve your god
or worship the golden statue that you set up. (Dn 3:17-18)
Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego were three real mensches. They blatantly refused to follow the edict of King Nebuchadnezzar to serve his false god or worship the golden statue that he had set up. They knew that it was an abomination and they were not going to sell out.
The king threatened to cast them into the furnace.
They could care less.
They put their faith and trust in their God, whether or not He delivered them from the furnace.
Deliver them He did.
Even though the king had the furnace heated seven times hotter than usual, it may as well have been spring break on the beach because after he had the three youths cast into the furnace, they walked around in the flames along with someone that looked like “a son of God.”
The youths’ determination and utter confidence was rewarded by God.
By this time in the Lenten season, peoples’ confidence may have worn down, their determination may have flagged.
There is so little time left before Easter. Maintain your resolution. Trust in the Lord. He is our help and our shield.
FAITH ACTION: It may come with derision or conflict; however, stand firm in the faith this day.