Please turn with me to Daniel 3.  We are going on in our look at the book of Daniel and Courage.

The burglar stopped in his tracks.  The woman calmly called the police.  Later, after the police arrived, she explained what she had done.  As the officer cuffed the man to take him in, he asked the burglar, “Why did you just stand there?  All the old lady did was yell a Scripture reference at you.”

Courage for the stuff of life - going through things with God.  Courage, when to do what is right before God will be unpopular - misunderstood - ridiculed.  Courage when we face rejection.  Courage to live for Jesus - at school - at work - in our families.  That’s what we’re looking at here in Daniel.  What does this courage look like?  Where does it come from?  How can we have that kind of courage in our lives?

Daniel 3 - verse 1:  Nebuchadnezzar the king made an image of gold, the height of which was sixty cubits and its width six cubits - about 90 feet tall - seven stories - by 9 feet wide at the base - he set it up on the plain of Dura in the province of Babylon - just south of the capital.  Then Nebuchadnezzar the king sent word to assemble the satraps, the prefects and the governors, the counselors, the treasurers, the judges, the magistrates and all the rulers of the provinces to come to the dedication of the image that Nebuchadnezzar the king had set up.  Then the satraps, the prefects and the governors, the counselors, the treasurers, the judges, the magistrates and the rulers of the provinces were assembled for the dedication of the image that Nebuchadnezzar the king had set up; and they stood before the image that Nebuchadnezzar had set up.  Then the herald loudly proclaimed:  “To you the command is given, O peoples, nations and men of every language, that at the moment you hear the sound of the horn, flute, lyre, trigon, psaltery, bagpipe and all kinds of music, you are to fall down and worship the golden image that Nebuchadnezzar the king has set up.  But whoever does not fall down and worship shall immediately be cast into the midst of a furnace of blazing fire.”  Therefore at that time, when all the peoples  heard the sound of the horn, flute, lyre, trigon, psaltery, bagpipe and all kinds of music, all the peoples, nations and men of every language fell down and worshiped the golden image that Nebuchadnezzar the king had set up.

Let’s pause there.  Notice three things with me.

First - who’s in the crowd.  What Nebuchadnezzar has done is brought together all the local and provincial leaders from every part of his empire.  It is an extensive list - covering civil legislation - the judicial branch of government - the military - all levels of government - from the top down to the little peons of state.

Second - notice why the crowd is brought together.  The Babylonian Empire was expanding.  These leaders have probably come from areas to the south that have been newly conquered.  So there’s a question of allegiance.  Neb has brought all the leadership here to Babylon to secure their unquestioned devotion to him.

The statue that Nebuchadnezzar sets up - we really don’t know exactly what it looked like.  But, probably it was the image of the god Nebo - who was Nebuchadnezzar’s patron god - Nebo - or Nebu - as in Nebu-chadnezzar.  So bowing before Nebo - giving value and honor and worship to Nebuchadnezzar’s god - would be giving a pledge of allegiance to Nebuchadnezzar himself.

Then third - notice the consequence of not bowing.  Failure to voluntarily comply - to add their distinctiveness to Neb’s - refusal means Bar-B-Quetion.  The choice is made easier by the proximity of the furnace of blazing fire.  Resistance is futile.  When the orchestra plays - bow down and worship.

Verse 8:  For this reason at the time certain Chaldeans came forward and brought charges against the Jews.  They responded and said to Nebuchadnezzar the king:  “O king, live forever!  You, O king, have made a decree that every man who hears the sound of the horn, flute, lyre, trigon, psaltery, and bagpipe and all kinds of music, is to fall down and worship the golden image.  But whoever does not fall down and worship shall be cast into the midst of a furnace of blazing fire.  There are certain Jews whom you have appointed over the administration of the province of Babylon, namely Shadrach, Meshach and Abed-nego.  These men, O king, have disregarded you; they do not serve your gods or worship the golden image which you have set up.”

Let’s pause there.

First a question:  Where’s Daniel?  Any of you wondering that?  Daniel was top man in the province of Babylon.  Why wasn’t he there? 

Some commentators speculate that he was off some place else in the empire.  Some area not newly conquered.  So he didn’t need to be there.  Some have speculated that Daniel - as Neb’s number one man in the capital -  might have been standing on the dais next to Nebuchadnezzar.  Daniel’s allegiance wouldn’t have been in question.  His bowing wouldn’t have been required.

Where was Daniel.  Bottom line answer:  We don’t know.  The chapter isn’t about Daniel and so we’re not told.  What is important is the actions of these three friends of Daniel.

Second - notice the accusation.  While everyone was bowed in prayer the Chaldeans peeked.  Of course they peeked with purpose.  Some time has passed since the events of chapters one and two - the vegetables and the dream.  The three boys have become young men.  They’ve been serving in the government.  They’ve had time to win friends and make enemies.  And they’re Jews - always on the outside.  There’s resentment here - and an opportunity for their enemies.  Point being:  They can’t just slide by and stand alone off in a corner - not if they’re going to stand for God.

Third - These men were under pressure to conform.

The threat of death is one issue.  But, these three men have been living in Babylon for a number of years now - living in Babylonian society - surrounded by Babylonian gods and Babylonian entertainment and customs and perversion.  Godly men living among people who do not know or honor God.  The Promised Land - Jerusalem - that’s history - a fading memory.

Standing there - surrounded by all the leadership of the empire - their colleagues and friends - their enemies looking for opportunities to accuse them - to bring them down - standing before Nebuchadnezzar himself - the pressure - is huge - to conform - to compromise.  To stand - when everyone else bows - means standing alone.  Rejecting all the society they’re living in and all that’s familiar to them.  What could it hurt to bow to one god among many gods.  In the grand scheme of things what difference would it make?

Verse 13:  Then Nebuchadnezzar in rage and anger gave orders to bring Shadrach, Meshach and Abed-nego; then these men were brought before the king.  Nebuchadnezzar responded and said to them, “Is it true, Shadrach, Meshach and Abed-nego, that you do not serve my gods or worship the golden image that I have set up?  Now if you are ready, at the moment you hear the sound of the horn, flute, lyre, trigon, psaltery and bagpipe and all kinds of music, to fall down and worship the image that I have made, very well.  But, if you do not worship, you will immediately be cast into the midst of a furnace of blazing fire; and what god is there who can deliver you out of my hands.?”

The three men are brought up onto the dais.  Neb is in a rage.  If these three guys get away with this in front of all those leaders Neb’s authority goes out the window.  They must bow.  So, Neb is threatening.  “Think it over boys.  That fire is really really really hot.”  Then this line, “No god can deliver you from me.”   It’s a lie.  God can deliver them.  But given the circumstances very threatening - heart stopping stuff.  “The fire’s hot.  You’re mine.  Bow or die.”

Verse 16:  Shadrach, Meshach and Abed-nego replied to the king, “O Nebuchadnezzar, we do not need to give you an answer concerning this matter.  If it be so, our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the furnace of blazing fire; and He will deliver us out of your hand, O king.  But even if He does not, let it be known to you, O king, that we are not going to serve your gods or worship the golden image that you have set up.”

Pause there.  Notice that this whole exchange with Nebuchadnezzar isn’t about fiery furnaces. 

“No god can deliver you from me.”  What did the three men answer Nebuchadnezzar?  “Our God is able to deliver us.  But, even if He doesn’t choose to deliver us, we still won’t bow to your god.  Keep your second chance.  We’re not going to change our minds.  We made our decision long before we got to the plain of Dura.  We’re God’s men.  We will trust Him - whatever He chooses to do with us.”

How did the 12 disciples die?  11 of them died as martyrs - enduring horrible torturous deaths.  John died in exile - a prisoner of the Roman government.  More Christians were martyred in the 20th century than all others combined.  Have you heard that?  Thousands of our siblings - maybe over a million - have been martyred in this century.  They died believing in Jesus - trusting God.  Death isn’t the issue.

This isn’t about fiery furnaces.  It isn’t about life or death.  Its about trust and faith.  Its about who has authority and power over our lives.  This is about God.  Say that with me, “This is about God.”  Who will be God over our lives.  Who we bow to.  Who we honor.  Who we value above all others.  That’s what this about.

Verse 19:  Then Nebuchadnezzar was filled with wrath, and his facial expression was altered toward Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-nego.  He answered by giving orders to heat the furnace seven times more than it was unusually heated.  He commanded certain valiant warriors who were in his army to tie up Shadrach, Meshach and Abed-nego in order to cast them into the furnace of blazing fire.  Then these three men where tied up in their trousers, their coats, their caps and their other clothes - that’s in case they get cold - and were cast into the midst of the furnace of blazing fire.  For this reason, because the kings command was urgent and the furnace had been made extremely hot, the flame of the fire slew those men who carried up Shadrach, Meshach and Abed-nego.  But these three men, Shadrach, Meshach and Abed-nego, fell into the midst of the furnace of blazing fire still tied up.

Scripture repeats things why?  So we don’t miss the point.  Over and over we’re told what about the fire?  Its blazing hot.  Just in case we missed that - Scripture records Neb’s order to heat the already blazing hot fire 7 times.  Just in case we miss that - these valiant warriors get vaporized.  How hot is the fire?  Really really hot.  Say that with me, “Really really hot.”  Point being - these guys are toast.

Verse 24:  Then Nebuchadnezzar the king was astounded and stood up in haste; he said to his high officials, “Was it not three men we cast bound into the midst of the fire?  They replied to the king, “Certainly, O king.”  He said, “Look!  I see four men loosed and walking about in the midst of the fire without harm, and the appearance of the fourth is like the son of the gods.”

Who’s the fourth person?  Some say an angel.  Some say Jesus.  We don’t know.  But the point is that God shows up.  These guys are not alone in that fire.

Verse 26:  Then Nebuchadnezzar came near to the door of the furnace of blazing fire - which is still really really hot - he responded and said, “Shadrach, Meshach and Abed-nego, come out, you servants of the Most High God, and come here!”  Then Shadrach, Meshach and Abed-nego came out of the midst of the fire.  The satraps, the prefects, the governors and the kings high officials gathered around and saw in regard to these men that the fire had no effect on the bodies of these men nor was the hair of their head singed, nor were their trousers damaged, nor had the smell of fire even come upon them.

Have you ever try to get the smell of cigarette smoke out of something?  Or gone camping and that campfire smell just lingers in your clothing.  These guys got tossed in fully clothed and there wasn’t even the hint of a smoky smell.  There’s no physical evidence that they’ve ever even been near a fire. 

How hot was the fire?  Really really hot.  Heating the fire only demonstrates more so the glory of God.  That it was the God - or as Neb now calls Him - “The Most High God” - greater than any god made out of gold - it was the God that Shadrach, Meshach and Abed-nego chose to trust in and their God chose to deliver them. 

Verse 28:  Nebuchadnezzar responded and said, “Blessed be the God of Shadrach, Meshach and Abed-nego, who has sent His angel and delivered His servants who put their trust in Him, violating the king’s command, and yielded up their bodies so as not to serve or worship any god except their own God.  Therefore I make a decree that any people, nation, or tongue that speaks anything offensive against the God of Shadrach, Meshach and Abed-nego shall be torn limb from limb and their houses reduced to a rubbish heap, inasmuch as there is no other god who is able to deliver in this way.”  Then the king caused Shadrach, Meshach and Abed-nego to prosper in the province of Babylon.

Just like we’ve seen in the first two chapters - there’s a pattern here we need to hang on to:  Daniel - or here - Shadrach, Meshach and Abed-nego are confronted with a problem requiring courage - pressure to conform to a pagan society in a life threatening no win scenario.  They put their trust in God.  God shows up.  They’re not alone in the fire.  God chooses to deliver them.  Ultimately God is glorified and God’s people get blessed. 

Two thoughts of application.

First:  The Fear Factor.  Say that with me, “The Fear Factor.”  

Right after 9-11 - there was an interfaith prayer service along at the Bill Graham Auditorium in San Francisco.  There were at least 7,000 plus people there including the Governor, both our US Senators, the mayor, and other politicians.  There were representatives of every religion we could think of - and then some:   Catholics, Anglicans, Sikhs, Buddhists, Hindus, Mormons, Muslims, Christians, Jews, Satanists and on and on - gay - straight - unsure.  You name it, they were there.  Each one there to offer prayers - chants - incantations - or whatever to a least a dozen deities.

The pressure for me to attend - to be there with all the other religious leaders - the pressure was enormous.  Despite my reservations - after a lot of prayer and counsel I went to the service.  I was told, “You’re representing not only a church - but a part of the Armenian community.  To not attend will cast a negative reflection on our community.”  Not attending is un-American.  After attending I’ve become convinced that I will not do that again.  It was a compromise of what I know to be true. 

So many believe that religion is just politics in a different form - a tool of those who hold or want to gain power.  There is no absolute truth.  There’s a tremendous number of gods out there.  What would it matter to worship one more.  Same thing on the plain of Dura - south of Babylon.  Believe what you want in private as long as you go along with the crowd.

As you and I live as believers in an unbelieving society - moving through our community and schools and work places - even our families and with our friends that pressure is on us every day.  In the words of the great Rodney King, “Can we all just - what? get along?”  Believe what you want in private.  But in public, just go along with the crowd.  Allegiance to society. 

There’s a very subtle thought that comes to us as we choose to stand for God.  Its this, “You’re on your own.”  “This is just a choice that you’re making.  Why are you sticking your neck out for this?  What makes you think you’re better than others?”  Have you heard that voice?

Satan wants us to think that way.  This isn’t about God.  It’s all about you.  The choices you’re making.  You’re standing alone and you’re really looking foolish. 

Then Satan comes after us with intimidation.  How hot is the fire?  Really really hot.  “Do you really know what this is going to cost you?  Maybe your job?  Your reputation?  Your hard earned standard of living?  Do you really want to pay the price?  Keep going the way you’re going - stand for God - and you will never survive this.”

Second thought of application.  The God Factor.  Say that with me, “The God factor.”

Remember Moses?  The guy who stood up to Pharaoh and brought the mightiest nation in the world to its knees.  Parts the Red Sea.  Strikes a rock and water comes out.  Has this shining face thing from being in God’s presence.  Moses.  After Moses died Joshua was next in line to lead God’s people.  How’d you like a job like that?  Following Moses as the leader of God’s people? 

Imagine Joshua.  Standing up for God.  The criticism.  The expectations.  The pressure must have been enormous.  The feelings of being alone and  inadequate, crushing.  “Joshua, this is all about you.  You’re in way over your head.  Pull out while you still can.”

In the first chapter of the book of Joshua, God speaks to Joshua.  Says this to him, “Be strong and courageous, for you shall give this people possession of the land which I swore to their fathers to give them… Be strong and very courageous…  Have I not commanded you?  Be strong and courageous!  Do not tremble or be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.”  (Joshua 1:6,7,9)

Wouldn’t you love to hear those words spoken to you by God?  “I chose you.  It’s my plan.  No matter what, I’ll be with you.  Be courageous.  Trust Me.”

Those words spoken to Joshua - the God factor - are repeated to God’s people from Genesis to Revelation:  “I chose you.  It’s my plan.  No matter what, I’ll be with you.  Be courageous.  Trust Me.”

Standing before that golden statue or living in the greater Merced metroplex - what our society confronts us with isn’t about being politically correct.  Its not about economics or job security.  Not about peer pressure - or rejection - or popularity.  Its not about all those things that Satan uses to confuse us and delude us - to get our focus on ourselves and not God - all those things that Satan uses to intimidate us and drive us towards fear.

God may or may not deliver the three men out of the furnace.  That isn’t the point.  Regardless, God is still with them.  The point is whether or not the men will trust God whatever God’s choice of action will be.

G. K. Chesterton says this, “Courage is almost a contradiction in terms.  It means a strong desire to live taking the form of a readiness to die.” (1)

Jesus said, “Whoever loses his life will save it.” (Luke 17:33 GNB)

When we value circumstances above God we’ll be sucked into them and really be on our own - a fearful - uncertain - in the hands of Satan - dangerous place to be.  When we value God above circumstances - being willing to surrender even our lives to Him - then we begin to really live - to live God’s way - courageous in any circumstance - powerful - effective for God’s kingdom - bringing glory to Him.

Bottom line:  Behind all that we are confronted with is a fundamental choice - the choice of who we value - who we honor - who we worship - who we trust with our lives.  God - or something else.    

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1. Quoted in John Eldredge, Wild At Heart