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The example of Daniel's companions
Daniel 3
"Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego replied to the king, "O Nebuchadnezzar, we do not need to defend ourselves before you in this matter. If we are thrown into the blazing furnace, the God we serve is able to save us from it, and he will rescue us from your hand, O king. But even if he does not, we want you to know, O king, that we will not serve your gods or worship the image of gold you have set up."
(Daniel 3:16-18)
Daniel's faithful companions also faced a time of testing in their convictions. Again, the king was tricked into issuing a decree that emphasized his egocentric nature. A huge statue was built and everyone ordered to bow down to it in worship or face death in a fiery furnace.
The Bible doesn't say if other Jews refused to fall down and worship the image, but these three were singled out as public examples. What a situation: pray to a statue, or be burned alive! Knowing that our God is a loving, forgiving God, many people would bow down and then ask His forgiveness. God would know that they didn't really mean it.
Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego had principles that came ahead of their own lives. They did not know that God would spare their lives. All they knew was that they would not worship any idol--not for any reason.
Are you ready to stand by your convictions, no matter what? When you stand firmly for God, you will stand out. And sometimes, standing by your principles will be painful or even deadly. But you will have the satisfaction of knowing who you are and what you stand for.
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