Bible Study Course: Lesson 8 - What Is Christian Conversion?
A Stirring Example of Faith
We find an inspiring example of God helping His faithful servants in a time
of crisis in the book of Daniel. Three Jewish captives were ordered by the king
of Babylon to bow before an idolatrous image or be killed. Their situation could
not have been worse. Yet their commitment to God was unwavering. They believed
His promise to help them. They trusted Him.
Notice their response to the king: "Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-Nego
answered and said to the king, 'O Nebuchadnezzar, we have no need to answer
you in this matter. If that is the case, our God whom we serve is able to deliver
us from the burning fiery furnace, and He will deliver us from your hand, O
king. But if not, let it be known to you, O king, that we do not serve your
gods, nor will we worship the gold image which you have set up'" (Daniel
3:16-18).
The king carried out his threat and had them thrown into the fire. But God
miraculously spared their lives. Then, in amazement, the king summoned them
to walk out of the fiery furnace (verse 26). "And the satraps, administrators,
governors, and the king's counselors gathered together, and they saw these men
on whose bodies the fire had no power; the hair of their head was not singed
nor were their garments affected, and the smell of fire was not on them. Nebuchadnezzar
spoke, saying, 'Blessed be the God of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-Nego, who
sent His Angel and delivered His servants who trusted in Him, and they have
frustrated the king's word, and yielded their bodies, that they should not serve
nor worship any god except their own God!'" (verses 27-28).
This and other biblical examples of God's love and faithfulness are preserved
in the Scriptures to give us the courage and faith to believe He can help us
with difficult circumstances that may arise in our lives. These young men did
not know whether God would intervene to spare them or not.
Nevertheless, they were determined to remain faithful to Him regardless of
the consequences. Their outstanding example of faithful obedience remains an
inspiration for us today.
If we always put God first He has promised never to abandon us. Regardless
of whether He chooses to intervene for us when we want Him to, "... He
Himself has said, 'I will never leave you nor forsake you.' So we may boldly
say: 'The LORD is my helper; I will not fear. What can man do to me?'"
(Hebrews 13:5-6).
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