Modern Day Martyrs

Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego replied to him, “King Nebuchadnezzar, we do not need to defend ourselves before you in this matter. If we are thrown into the blazing furnace, the God we serve is able to deliver us from it, and He will deliver us from Your Majesty’s hand. But even if He does not, we want you to know, Your Majesty, that we will not serve your gods or worship the image of gold you have set up.” (Daniel 3:16-18, NIV)

 

Although I had read the book of Daniel  many times before, this time it was different. As I read chapter 3, these verses began to awaken something in me. Reading it caused me to ask myself the hard questions.  It opened my eyes to a new perspective. These scriptures scream out one word to me, loyalty. What God is showing us in this passage is the kind of loyalty He desires from His people.

 

While  Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego were set over the affairs of the province of Babylon, they were still in captivity along with the other Hebrews. They were held captive but still serving God. They were facing a life or death situation, but refused to worship any another god. These young men didn’t have a King James Bible to read or church services to attend. Nevertheless, they served God whole-heartedly. They were willing to face death in order to maintain their integrity. They were willing even if God didn’t deliver them from the fiery furnace. What God was saying  to me was, “Yes I have made many promises to you that I plan to keep. But, if I never deliver you will you still serve me? If I decide to change my mind, will you worship me? If I never do anything else for you, will you still love me?” We get so excited and “Jesus Happy” when things go our way and when life is comfortable. But what about when life is unfair and when God doesn’t appear to be blessing you? Will you still hold on to your integrity, worship, and serve God only? Or will you go back into the world and put worldly matters ahead of  God?

   

Make no mistake about it, God is not man, that He should lie, or a son of man, that He should change his mind. Has He said, and will He not do it? Or has He spoken, and will He not fulfill it? (Numbers 23:19) Hypothetically, what if He doesn’t answer your prayers, will you still put God 1^st? What if your ministry seizes to prosper, will you still serve Him from the sincerity of your heart? These young men told King Nebuchadnezzar that even if God didn’t deliver them, they would still worship no other god. How loyal is that?!

 

Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego were willing to become martyrs for the God they served. They were willing to suffer so that God may get the glory from their lives. They were willing to go through the pain so that God’s purpose would be accomplished. Is that your heart? Are you willing to hold on to your integrity no matter how embarrassing, hurtful, tiresome, or painful your circumstances may seem? Are you a “Modern Day Martyr” for Christ?