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This week's focus: Allegiance

Then Nebuchadnezzar said, “Praise to the God of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego! He sent his angel to rescue his servants who trusted in him. They defied the king’s command and were willing to die rather than serve or worship any god except their own God." Daniel 2:28

Whenever I take my children to school, I pray this prayer over them:

“Let my children be leaders and not followers and lead people to Christ. Let them not give into the culturally acceptable way of living, but live in total devotion, conviction, and commitment to the Holy Spirit and the Word of God.”

This prayer came about during a season when, much like today, the things they were seeing and hearing in the world and in their world (i.e., school, friends, and even the faith community at times) were completely contrary to the Word of God. It became an anchor and clarion call for me as a parent to remind my children to stand against a culture trying to force them to bow. It makes me think of the biblical story of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, found in Daniel chapters two and three.

Growing up, this story was an excellent reminder to me of the power and presence of God in difficult circumstances. However, something deeper that I want to draw your attention to has stood out to me for quite a while.

The third chapter of Daniel tells us that King Nebuchadnezzar issued a decree that everyone was to bow down to a golden image that sat in the province of Babylon on the plain of Dura. As the story continues, we learn that everyone but three Hebrews named Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego obeyed, and for this reason, they were thrown into the fiery furnace where they DIDN’T burn.

In the face of their current political and cultural disillusionment, these three men understood what their posture should be because they trusted God. They knew that when the world was telling them to bow or burn, they had to choose to stand and be firm, even if it meant death. The same is true for us. This story sets the expectation for how those of us who follow Jesus should address the false gods and unbiblical demands of this world by standing firm on truth.

As we consider the purpose and the principle of the text, I want you to notice three tactics the King used to force his will upon the people:

1. Dishonorable laws and law enforcers (Daniel 3:2-10)

2. Unholy musicians and entertainers (Daniel 3:5-7)

3. Corporate threats and fear (Daniel 3:15)

These tactics are still being used today, and as followers of Jesus, we must stay aware of the enemy’s devices.

But fear not because, as with the three Hebrew boys, we can confidently tell our children that our God makes fireproof followers from the culture’s fiery furnace. And just like in Daniel 3:28-30, in the end, every knee will bow, and every tongue will confess that Jesus is Lord (paraphrased Philippians 2:10-11).

Special thanks to Rachel G. Scott for writing this week’s devotional. (RachelGScott.com/5daysofdeclarations)