Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego

The third book of Daniel includes the motivating story of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego.

About 600 BC , King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon attacked Jerusalem and took many of the Israelites captive. Four of the young men were given new names in captivity: Daniel was called Belteshazzar, Hananiah was called Shadrach, Mishael was called Meshach, and Azariah was called Abednego.

All four were very bright and became well liked by King Nebuchadnezzar, who made them part of his most trusted council. Daniel helped interpret one of Nebuchadnezzar's troubling dreams, earling him a high position over Babylon, including the land'w wise men. Per his request, the king appointed Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego as Daniel's administrators.

King Nebuchadnezzar built a giant golden statue and commanded his people to bow and worship it whenever they heard the sound of his musical herald, or else they would be thrown into a massive furnace. Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego refused to worship this false god, so they were reported to the king. The were sent before the king, who tried to force them to deny their one and only God.

They answered, "If this be so, our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the burning fiery furnace, and He will deliver us out of your hand. But if not, be it known to you, that we will not serve your gods or worship the golden image that you have set up."

The king was furious and ordered Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego to be bound and cast into the flames. The soldiers who cast them into the furnace were killed by the heat. King Nebuchadnezzar looked into the furnace, amazed, and said, "But I see four men unbound, walking in the midst of the fire, and they are not hurt; and the appearance of the fourth is like a son of the gods."

Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego walked from the furnace unharmed, with no signs of the heat on their bodies or clothing. King Nebuchadnezzar was amazed and declared, "Blessed be the God of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, who has sent his angel and delivered his servants, who trusted in him, and set aside the king's command, and yielded up their bodies rather than serve and worship any god except their own God." He then declared that all of the Israelites were free to worship as they chose.

Even threatened with what appeared to be certain death, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego would not compromise their belief in their Creator - must we have our hands placed to the fire - perhaps our entire bodies cast into the fire - to stand up for our beliefs? When we face seemingly insurmountable obstacles in life, we too must say, "Whether God rescues me or not, I will stand for him. I will not compromise my faith, and I will not deny my Lord."