Stressed OutSample

Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego were captives in a foreign land. Then an order came down from King Nebuchadnezzar: Either bow down and worship the 90-foot gold statue the king had built or be thrown into a furnace. God was clear in His Word not to worship other gods. It’s such a high priority to God that it is the heart of the first and second of the Ten Commandments (Exodus 20:3-4). So the choice before the three men was clear: Honor God or follow the culture. When God’s Word stood in direct contrast to what was happening around them, the men did not bend. When the music played, everyone else bowed. Scripture says, “all the nations and peoples of every language fell down and worshiped the image of gold” (Daniel 6:7).

Yet the three men stood standing—talk about standing out! But the three men were making a statement: sometimes standing for God will mean that you are standing alone. But God is honored. He sees. In Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego’s situation, God noticed, and either came Himself or sent an angel to stand with them in the fiery furnace.

When you stand against what you know is wrong, you may feel like you’re standing alone. But take heart: you’ve caught the attention of Heaven.