Subscription Lists

A few weeks ago, I was reading in the book of Daniel – when one phrase came to me so clearly - "Stand for God" . Jesus spoke about our being witnesses for HIM. That can involve feeling isolated or lonely at times. If you are finding it more difficult and more challenging, consider these three men - and their three ‘secrets’. The message here was shared with our people in Nairn.

Daniel Chapter 3 - We read of three men who refused to compromise and worship an idol - and of course the whole book of Daniel deals with this man of God who refused to give in - and bow down to an idol.

King Nebuchadnezzar had a dream, and in his dream, he saw a statue and a stone.

Chapter 2verses 31,34 . He makes an image of what he has seen.

Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego are Daniel's three assistants - but we do not read of Daniel - where is he? Where is Daniel? Will they be able to stand without him? What happens when the teacher goes out of the room?

Nebuchadnezzar was a powerful man - he was the Saddam Hussein of the day. He was top dog - and now he tries to make himself top god. He has built an image 90 feet high - and nine feet wide. It would be seen for miles glinting in the sun.

He sends for all the princes and leaders. When the band plays - then down you go - you will bow down. There are times when we have to ask - what is the music doing to us? Conform or die!

There are three still standing. Someone sneaked a peek. They were jealous of the jobs these three got - and they ran and told - they ran and accused.

How easy it would have been to say - "Well everybody else is bowing down."

Verse 12 – O King - these are the men you appointed!!

Verse 16 - They are so brave - our minds are made up - no further discussion – note their tremendous courage.

Verse 18 - Here is commitment in one sentence – no complacency or despair here.

Verse 19 - Seven times hotter - normally the furnace would be heated with wood - but now oil and bitumen would be used. How would these three young men feel?

Four were seen. Nebuchadnezzar cannot say more than that - and neither can we. There is someone from heaven in that furnace.

Nebuchadnezzar praised these men - and he praised their God - their God, not mine. He made a decree. He is still in charge - in control - still a despot - a tyrant. If a million people do the wrong thing - that does not make it right.

Think of this situation in Daniel Chapter 3 - consider what was actually happening. Everybody in Babylon was doing it. It meant death if you didn't – but neither peer pressure, nor the threat of death, could move these three young Hebrews.

Our God is able to deliver us - that is NOT stubbornness - that is INTEGRITY.

What would we do? Remember - there have been many many more times when God has NOT delivered His people from the flames.

You need faith to die as well as live. They yielded their bodies - and trusted God.

God can deliver us from the flames - and He can deliver us from our bodies.

1Peter 2verse 9 - We are part of a royal priesthood - those who belong to Jesus Christ - a holy nation - peculiar people, which means 'one of a kind' - we are not like other people. We have been called out of darkness into his wonderful light.

You are one of a kind - called to bring glory to God - and to turn on the light wherever you go.

We do not need to have a consensus of opinion before making certain decisions.

We do not need to conduct a poll before obeying God - and in the Bible, in most battles - God is on the side of the underdog!

Stand for God - you will discover He is standing with you - and is alongside you - supporting you.

Jeremiah knew what it was to stand for God alone - with many people against him, even wanting him to be quiet - and not preach and prophesy as he was.

Think of Peter in court – or Paul on his travels. These men stand for God - they were called to stand for God - they were anointed to stand for God - and because of their stand for God , their witness and their writings, we are able to receive from God through them today. They always had someone alongside.

Stand for God when it is hard - when it difficult - when it seems lonely - when you think you are the only one standing. You may think you are the only one at times - but you are not. Elijah discovered that.

But what of Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego’s three ‘secrets’? Can these help us today?

The power of Babylon was fierce and colossal compared with the puny pathetic sinful people of God. Ah – but – we wrestle not against flesh and blood.

So much at this point appeared to be focused on these three men.

Despairing? There is no – ‘this is the bitter, unjust, and unfair’ – from them! Our God can deliver us – but if not – we will not bow down. God did not divert the danger – God gave these three men faith to face what they had to face.

Was this not the prophetic setting for the whole ministry of Jesus? It points across the centuries to the temptations confronting Jesus. In the wilderness – “I will not bow down”. In Gethsemane’s Garden – “Father, I will drink the cup.”

1 - These three men understood the Providence of God through history. They were aware of how God had intervened and moved and worked in the past – they knew how God governed the world and the universe.

Although the devil appeared to have a long rope, they knew that at the end of that rope was the Hand of God.

They realised Israel was tethered and tied as prisoners in Babylon – but they knew the living creator God held the rope. Know that in your own life.

They would know of Noah – Abraham – Joseph – Moses – Samuel – and David – and were they not schooled in the writings of Isaiah?

2 – They were men of prayer. The whole book of Daniel is steeped in the atmosphere of prayer.

They had been tested in their diet and tested as they studied – and undoubtedly inspired by Daniels leadership. When dreams had to be answered and interpreted, they turned to God. When the writing was on the wall Daniel went to his room and prayed. (If only today’s ‘Educationalists’ would read and study Daniel!)

Three times a day Daniel would open his window, facing Jerusalem, and kneel in prayer.

There is the waft of the supernatural throughout this book because the leaders of the people of God were men of prayer.

3 – They were aware of that unseen companionship – even Nebuchadnezzar recognised this, as he peered into the furnace. “When you pass through the waters, I will be with you – when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you - when you walk through the fire, you will not be burned.” Isaiah 43 .

The risen Jesus reassures those whom he has called and chosen – “I am with you always, even to the end of the age.”

“Fear not – do not be afraid – for I have redeemed you. –

I have called you by name – you are mine.”

“Thine arm, O Lord, in days of old – was strong to heal and save;

It triumphed o’re disease and death – O’re darkness and the grave.

Be Thou our great Deliverer still – Thou Lord of life and death;

Restore and quicken, soothe and bless – with Thine almighty breath.”

“Almighty God as we thank You for the examples of those who have gone before us – serving faithfully in the most difficult conditions – we pray that we may be able to stand, courageously and boldly. We remember those around the world who face severe sore persecution for their faith in Jesus Christ. We pray that men and women will be able to stand - no matter where they are – in Christ Jesus. Amen”

"Voice of Inspiration" from Andy Castro

Psalms 91:13