Then Nebuchadnezzar in furious rage commanded that Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego be brought. So they brought these men before the king. Nebuchadnezzar answered and said to them, "Is it true, O Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, that you do not serve my gods or worship the golden image that I have set up? Now if you are ready when you hear the sound of the horn, pipe, lyre, trigon, harp, bagpipe, and every kind of music, to fall down and worship the image that I have made, well and good. But if you do not worship, you shall immediately be cast into a burning fiery furnace. And who is the god who will deliver you out of my hands?" Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego answered and said to the king, "O Nebuchadnezzar, we have no need to answer you in this matter. 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 3:13-18

So the king is pretty hacked off at these guys for several reasons. First, they refuse to worship his gods. Second, they refuse to worship him. And I think it's safe to say that Nebuchadnezzar has become a full-blown narcissistic. He has convinced himself he is a god, and he's worthy of worship. And he believes that no one will save these three men from his god-like vengeance.

But Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego are going to take a stand. They make two declarations to the king. First, that God has more power than him. Second, that worshipping God is more beneficial. And right here, it's important to note that they are not putting God to the test. But instead, they are being faithful regardless of the outcome. I don't think they care about the outcome at all. In life or death, they will go down as three men who were faithful to God in a faithless country.

Fellas, let me be clear. I think we want to be men like this. I believe plenty of men watching this today have aspirations to live like this in our time. But we cannot be like these men if we are not taking the daily steps that these men took over the last 20 years. For 20 years in captivity, these three men took steps of obedience in faith until they were met with this ultimate test. The test of ultimate faith. The willingness of us to give their lives for what they believe.

Maybe someday, God will give you a moment like this. It could come sooner than you think. But until then, we need to live every day like we trust the power and benefit of God. We must act as if we trust him more than our money, investments, and retirement. That we trust him more than our solutions, power, and abilities. That we trust him more than we do another president, politician, or supreme court ruling. That we trust him more than a specific outcome in our marriage, family, or career. So today, you probably won't have to take a stand like these men. You can take a small step. A step of faith that God has more power and benefit. And as you do that today, know God might be preparing you for the more significant moments just around the bend.

ASK THIS: Where do you need to take a stand today?

DO THIS: Take a small step today so you can take a stand tomorrow.

PRAY THIS: God, make me a man of great faith.

PLAY THIS: Great Is Your Faithfulness.

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