Daniel 3:12-18 There are certain Jews whom you have set over the affairs of the province of Babylon, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego; these men… I. THEY HAD CONVICTIONS. They were not merely Israelites in name; they believed in Israel's God'. It would not be surprising if, so far from home and under such adverse conditions, the memory of their ancestral religion had gradually ceased and their devotion faded out. But their piety was more, apparently, than an inheritance; it had, before their transportation, been ingrained m heart and conscience and life. If religion be a mere matter of form, it may be changed as readily as one changes his coat; but when it takes possession of the soul it keeps company with a man for ever. Hence the importance of convictions. They believed in God, in the truths which He had revealed to them, in the moral responsibilities which He had imposed upon them. The word "belief" is, by some, derived from the Saxon by-lifian, that is, the thing we live by. II. THEY WERE LOYAL TO THEIR CONVICTIONS. They were called on to pass through a most trying ordeal. The day of the dedication of the golden image was at hand. What should they do? 1. They might avoid all trouble by joining in the acclamations of the multitude and prostrating themselves before the golden image. 2. They might prostrate themselves as a mere matter of form, saying, "After all, religion is of the heart; and God will know that inwardly we are devoted to Him." But compromise, in a question of right or wrong, is the subterfuge of the weak and unworthy. 3. The only alternative was to stay indoors that day. Why not? Then must they have said to one another, "We are three cowards.", God wanted them to go out into the plain of Dura and preach a sermon on heroic piety. III. GOD TOOK CARE OF THEM. He always takes care of His own. Here is a sure word of promise, "I will never leave thee nor forsake thee." (D. J. Burrell, D.D.) Parallel Verses KJV: There are certain Jews whom thou hast set over the affairs of the province of Babylon, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego; these men, O king, have not regarded thee: they serve not thy gods, nor worship the golden image which thou hast set up. |
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