Now if ye be ready that at what time ye hear the sound of the cornet, flute, harp, sackbut, psaltery, and dulcimer, and all kinds of musick, ye fall down and worship the image which I have made; well: but if ye worship not, ye shall be cast the same hour into the midst of a burning fiery furnace; and who is that GOD that shall deliver you out of my hands? Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, answered and said to the king, O Nebuchadnezzar, we are not careful to answer thee in this matter. If it be so, our GOD whom we serve is able to deliver us from the burning fiery furnace, and He will deliver us out of thine hand, O king. But if not, be it known unto thee, O king, that we will not serve thy gods, nor worship the golden image which thou hast set up. (Daniel 3:15-18)
Despite all the pomp and circumstance, these three stood. Not only physically, when commanded to bow down and worship, but spiritually; because they obeyed GOD and not man. They believed GOD would deliver them, but remained steadfast and obedient regardless of how GOD brought them through. They were resolved, convinced in their heart and mind, determined before (just as they had with the meat offered to idols) to remain faithful to their Saviour and Lord. We need such as these today in the Church. Those that will not compromise at the alter of convenience. Those that will stand against tyranny and oppression, not at the point of a gun; because that will never change hearts and minds, but with the Gospel of Jesus Christ. True strength and resolution comes from a relationship with the Creator by faith in His finished work on the Cross of Calvary. A true relationship, not role-playing 'church' but a real and lasting salvation that GOD gives to those that repent, believe, and receive.
Dare to be like these three and stand. And if you don't know Christ and have come to realize that you can't stand like this without Him (and you can't) then receive Him today.
Stand up Christian, and be who Christ calls you to be. Be His witness to someone today.
In Christ,
Jefferson A. Sweet
Dare to be like these three and stand. And if you don't know Christ and have come to realize that you can't stand like this without Him (and you can't) then receive Him today.
Stand up Christian, and be who Christ calls you to be. Be His witness to someone today.
In Christ,
Jefferson A. Sweet
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