Bow or Burn

After I graduated from high school I had a friend once tell me that he and several of our friends would hang out and play Dungeons and Dragons. He told me the reason they never invited me was because they thought I would refuse because of my faith. Honestly, he was probably correct. I also know that wasn’t the only time I was left out of something because of my faith. My friends knew where I stood and they respected that. I am reminded of a story from the bible about three friends that were also known for their faith. Instead of being left out they were invited and then punished because they didn’t give in to the pressure of conformity. Daniel 3 tells the story of King Nebuchadnezzar who had made a large idol of gold and when the sound of instruments played everyone was to fall down and worship the idol. Whoever did not fall down and worship would immediately be cast into a burning fiery furnace. Three jews, named Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, who had been given leadership positions by King Nebuchadnezzar refused to follow the command. Faith often faces pressure to conform. They humbly responded “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, O king. But if not, be it known to you, O king, that we will not serve your gods or worship the golden image that you have set up.” (Daniel 3: 17-18 ESV) Courageous faith says ‘even if’-- not just ‘if.’ At this point King Nebuchadnezzar is furious! He had the furnaces heated seven times hotter than usual. The three friends were bound tightly and thrown into the furnace, and the men who tossed them in were killed by the heat and flames. The King looks into the furnace and says “ I thought there were only three men thrown into the furnace. I see four men unbound, walking around and unharmed.” God doesn’t always keep us out of the fire, He joins us in it. Matthew 28:20 Jesus promises “And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.” (ESV) King Nebuchadnezzar then yells at the men in the furnace. “Servants of the Most High God, come out, and come here!” (vs26) “Nebuchadnezzar… said, “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…. for there is no other god who is able to rescue in this way.” Daniel 3: 28-29  When we remain faithful, God uses our trials to point others to Him. Thankfully I wasn’t told to “bow or burn” for my faith, but I often wonder how I would have responded if I were in their shoes. Would I have been willing to lose my friends over choosing not to play D & D? Is there a place you are currently feeling pressure to compromise your faith or values? Have courage my friend! Whatever “fire” you’re in, you are not alone. “May the fourth be with you!”

“When you walk through fire you shall not be burned and the flame shall not consume you.”
Isaiah 43:2