Day 6 – The Story of Faith Under Fire

Read Daniel 3: 1 – 18

In today’s reading Daniel moves off center stage of the story and his three Hebrew friends move to the forefront. The theme of the passage is still God’s protection and how he provides for those who live with integrity. Every generation and every government must have men and women of integrity, folks who do not allow the circumstances of the day to dictate what they do. Shadrach, Meshack and Abednego are men of great courage. They have determined to do what is right in God’s eyes regardless of the circumstances. They know that the real Sovereign of their life does not sit before them on an earthly throne but rather He rules from heaven. They realize that doing God’s will may not be pleasant but their obedience is not contingent upon God doing what is right in their eyes. Even though they knew a terrible punishment awaited them, they were not going to compromise their faith.

In an attempt to deify himself, the king constructs a grotesque image and demands that everyone in his kingdom bow down and worship when they hear the band play. The jealous Chaldean “wise men” rat on their three Jewish compatriots and tell the king of their insolent behavior in refusing to honor the king and obey his command. The king reacts angrily and sets the stage for an incredible statement of faith recorded in verses 16 – 18. Our country and our culture are in desperate need of Christ followers who will stand up in the face of countless societal pressures and demonstrate this same level of unquestioning faith. People who would respond with “My God is more than able to save me but even if he does not, I will not compromise. I will only worship the one true God and stay true to Him.”

Q1: Try to think of a person you have met who lives a life of integrity. What specifically does he or she do that prompts you to identify them as a person of integrity?

Q2. Most of us will never face a situation where demonstrating our faith in God will put our lives in danger. Do you think your faith could stand a serious challenge? What can you do today to ensure your faith will be able to meet future difficulties?

Q3. In our culture today, we don’t have to face idols such as the one built by Nebuchadnezzar. The Apostle Paul defined idols in a different way (read Colossians 3:5). Under Paul’s definition, have you built any idols that you are worshipping today?

Final thought: Personal integrity is perhaps the only thing about you that can’t be lost or taken from you. You can lose your health and the ability to do things you enjoy. Your money and other material resources can be lost in a market crash or a fire. You can even lose your good name if someone spreads a lie behind your back. But no one can take your integrity – only you can choose to give it away.