Daniel 3 contains one of the most powerful declarations in the Bible—a declaration so bold that it has inspired believers to stand firm in their faith, regardless of hardships or persecution. But before we get to that declaration, we must understand the situation in which it was given.
Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego faced a seemingly impossible situation. King Nebuchadnezzar had set up a massive golden statue and invited everyone to join him in commemorating the event by bowing down and worshiping the idol. When the call went out to bow down, everyone obeyed the king’s command except for Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego. King Nebuchadnezzar was furious. He summoned the men and gave them a second chance to bow to the statue while reminding them that if they refused to bow, he would have them thrown into a fiery furnace where they would surely die.
Given the ultimatum, the three men declared, “If the God we serve exists, then he can rescue us from the furnace of blazing fire, and he can rescue us from the power of you, the king. But even if he does not rescue us, we want you as king to know that we will not serve your gods or worship the gold statue you set up” (Daniel 3:16-18). The boldest part of that statement comes in the second sentence, when they say, “even if he does not.” They stood before this powerful king and declared that they would not bow regardless of what happened to them.
Ultimately, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego were thrown into the fiery furnace where a mysterious fourth man walked with them. God rescued them from death, and His name was praised among the people. As we read the story of these three men, we see them refuse the temptation to bow down to anyone or anything other than the one true God. Encourage kids to be ready to stand firm in their faith like these three men and to remember that Jesus has promised to be with those who trust in Him.
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