Would you join me at Daniel 3.  We are going on in our journey through the book of Daniel and our study of Courage.  To help us get focused we have a short video.

(video:  Courage Is)

That’s what we’re looking at here in Daniel.

Courage for the stuff of life - going through the stuff of our lives 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. 

What does that courage look like for us living for Jesus in the greater Merced metroplex?  Where does it come from?  How can we have that kind of courage in our lives?

Let’s jump into chapter 3.  We’ll do some unpacking as we go along and then come back and make some application at the end.

Daniel 3 - verse 1:  King Nebuchadnezzar made an image of gold, whose height was sixty cubits and its breadth six cubits - about 90 feet tall - seven stories - think Mercy Hospital - by 9 feet wide at the base - He set it up on the plain of Dura, in the province of Babylon - Dura is few miles south of the capital city of Babylon -

Verse 2:  Then King Nebuchadnezzar sent to gather the satraps, the prefects, and the governors, the counselors, the treasurers, the justices, the magistrates, and all the officials of the provinces to come to the dedication of the image that King Nebuchadnezzar had set up.  Then the satraps, the prefects, and the governors, the counselors, the treasurers, the justices, the magistrates, and all the officials of the provinces gathered for the dedication of the image that King Nebuchadnezzar had set up.

Who set up the image?  King Nebuchadnezzar?  Repetition in Scripture is not God getting paid by the word to inspire this stuff.  Repetition is the key to learning.  Meaning God wants us to get this.  Repetition means make sure we’re paying attention.

And they stood before the image that Nebuchadnezzar had set up.

Who set up the image?  Nebuchadnezzar.  Who’s in front of it.  A whole lot of big shots in the kingdom.

Verse 4:  And the herald proclaimed aloud, “You are commanded, O peoples, nations, and languages, that when you hear the sound of the horn, pipe, lyre, trigon, harp, bagpipe, and every kind of music, you are to fall down and worship the golden image that King Nebuchadnezzar has set up.  And whoever does not fall down and worship shall immediately be cast into a burning fiery furnace.  Therefore, as soon as all the peoples heard the sound of the horn, pipe, lyre, trigon, harp, bagpipe, and every kind of music, all the peoples, nations, and languages fell down and worshiped the golden image the King Nebuchadnezzar had set up.

Let’s pause and notice three things.

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.  Anybody who is anything in officialdom is there.

Second - notice why the crowd is brought together.  The Babylonian Empire was expanding.  These leaders have probably come from areas in the empire that have been newly conquered.  Peoples, nations, languages represents a whole lot of diversity.  Every people group in the empire is probably represented.  So there’s a question of allegiance. 

Nebuchadnezzar has brought all the leadership - all these peoples here - to make sure they “get it” - who is the sovereign king of it all.  He’s brought them 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 - supreme devotion - to Nebuchadnezzar himself.

Then third - notice the consequence of not bowing. 

When you hear the horn, flute, lyre - which is one of these on the left - and the trigon - in the middle which was probably like harp with three corners - tri meaning three - and the psaltery - which is the instrument on the right - and bagpipe and all kinds of music - meaning a whole lot of other instruments.  We’re not sure what sound all those instruments would make.  But, I bet it would be hard to ignore.

When you  hear the orchestra playing the call to worship - we’re suppose to bow down and worship.  Devotion to Nebuchadnezzar - our sovereign ruler.  King above all kings.

Failure to voluntarily comply - to add our distinctiveness to Nebbuchadnezzar’s - refusal means Bar-B-Quetion.  The choice is made easier by the proximity of the furnace of blazing fire.  Can you feel the heat?  Can you see the flames?  Resistance if futile.

When the orchestra plays all of the foreheads of that great and distinguished multitude touch the ground at the same time - except three.

Verse 8:  Therefore at that time certain Chaldeans came forward and maliciously accused the Jews.  They declared to King Nebuchadnezzar, “O king, live forever!  You, O king, have made a decree, that every man who hears the sound of the horn, pipe, lyre, trigon, harp, bagpipe, and every kind of music, shall fall down and worship the golden image.  And whoever does not fall down and worship shall be cast into a burning fiery furnace.  There are certain Jews whom you have appointed over the affairs of the province of Babylon:  Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego.  These men, O king, pay no attention to you; they do not serve your gods or worship the golden image that you have set up.

Let’s pause there.

First a question:  Where’s Daniel?  Any one wondering that?  Chapter 2 ended with Daniel being rewarded - promoted - he’s the top man in the whole province of Babylon - put in charge of all the wise men.  Why isn’t Daniel here? 

Some the scholars have suggested that Daniel may have been off some place else in the empire on some kind of official business doing something that meant he didn’t have to be here.  Some have suggested that Daniel being Nebuchadnezzar’s number one man in the capital might have been standing next to Nebuchadnezzar - right there on the dais - meaning his allegiance wouldn’t have been questioned.  He didn’t need to bow like the others.

Where was Daniel?  Bottom line:  We don’t know.  This isn’t about Daniel.  What God wants us to focus on is what’s going on with Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego.  Its their names that keep getting repeated over and over.  The repeating for us of what they did that we’re to focus on.

Second - notice the accusation.  While everyone was bowing 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.  It takes time to set up a 7 story gold statue.  Time to gather people from all over the Empire.  Meaning that the three teenagers have probably become three young men.  Which means that they’ve had time to win friends and make enemies.

Because of God’s blessing - these young men that have leap froged ahead to the head of the line.  As they’ve been serving in the government - they’ve been promoted ahead of the other officials who had greater seniority.  And they’re Jews - always on the outside.  There are racial as well as personal issues here. 

The Chaldean’s peeked with purpose.  There’s resentment here - and an opportunity for their enemies.  Point being:  Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego can’t just slide by and stand alone off in a corner - do the closet - my faith is a personal Sabbath Jew thing.  Not if they’re going to stand for God.  Literally.

Third - notice that these three young men were under some intense 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 - growing from teenagers into adulthood - 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.  Babylon is the new reality in their lives.

Standing there - they’re surrounded by all the leadership of the empire - the upper echelon of who’s who in Babylon - surrounded by their colleagues and friends - their peers.  And standing there - they’re being scrutinized by their enemies that they know are just looking for any opportunity to accuse them - to bring them down,  And they’re standing before King Nebuchadnezzar himself.

Imagine what that would be like.  The pressure is huge.  To conform.  To compromise.  To cave.  Standing when everyone else bows - means standing alone.  Rejecting all of the society and culture they’re living in.  Rejecting the people they live with - their values - their approval.  Rejecting all that’s becoming familiar to them.

What could it hurt to bow to one god among many gods.  Pledge devotion to one king.  Maybe cross our fingers while we’re doing it.  In the grand scheme of things what difference would it make?

Verse 13:  Then Nebuchadnezzar in furious rage commanded that Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego be brought.  So they brought these men before the king.  Nebuchadnezzar answered and said to them, “Is it true, O Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, that you do not serve my gods or worship the golden image that I have set up?  Now if you are ready when you hear the sound of the horn, pipe, lyre, trigon, harp, bagpipe, and every kind of music, to fall down and worship the image that I have made, well and good.  But if you do not worship, you shall be immediately cast into the burning fiery furnace.  And who is the god who will deliver you out of my hands?”

Nebuchadnezzar is in a rage - meaning he’s ticked and not to be trifled with.  Nebuchadnezzar’s ego is on the line.  His authority is on the line.  If these three young Jewish men get away with this in front of all those leaders Nebuchadnezzar has no authority.  They must bow or die.

The three men are brought up onto the dais.  Can you imagine standing there with Nebuchadnezzar the great and terrible scowling at you?  Who with unquestioned power can flick his finger and you’re toast.  Literally.

“Think it over boys.  That fire is really really really hot.”

Then this line, “No god can deliver you from me.”   Which we know is not true.  God can deliver them - and God does.  But given the circumstances - meaning not having read ahead and knowing how this ends - this is very threatening - heart stopping stuff.  They don’t know what will happen.  “The fire’s hot.  You’re mine.  Bow or die.”

Verse 16:  Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego answered and said to the king, “O Nebuchadnezzar, we have no need to answer you in this matter.

Meaning: “We don’t need to defend ourselves - to give an answer.  Because God is going to give you an answer.”

If this be so - if you do toss us into the furnace - our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the burning fiery furnace, and He will deliver us out of your hands, O king.  But if not, be it known to you, O king, that we will not serve your gods or worship the golden image that you have set up.”

Let’s be clear.  This exchange with Nebuchadnezzar isn’t about burning fiery furnaces. 

Nebuchadnezzar - verse 15:  “No god can deliver you from me.”  What did the three men answer?  “Our God is able to deliver us.  But, even if He doesn’t choose to deliver us - to answer you that way - 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 disciples die?  With the exception of John who died in exile  a prisoner of the Roman government.  The disciples died as martyrs - enduring horrible torturous deaths.   More Christians were martyred in the 20th century than all others combined.  Have you heard that?  Thousands of our siblings are being martyred in this century - even today.  Dying - believing in Jesus - trusting God.

God can deliver us.  Sometimes He doesn’t.  Death isn’t the issue.  Sickness - health - poverty - riches - our circumstances are not the issue.

This whole account isn’t about burning fiery furnaces.  It isn’t about life or death.  Its about trust and faith.  The devotion of our lives.  Its about who we choose to give authority and power over our lives.

This is about God.  Let’s say that together:  “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 fury, and the expression of his face was changed against Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego.  He ordered the furnace heated seven times more than it was usually heated.  And he ordered some of the mighty men of his army to bind Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, and to cast them into the burning fiery furnace.  Then these men were bound in their cloaks, their tunics, their hats, and their other garments, and they were thrown into the burning fiery furnace.  Because the king’s order was urgent and the furnace overheated, the flame of the fire killed those men who took up Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego.  And these three men, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, fell bound into the burning fiery furnace.

Three names.  Three men.  Emphasis three.  We’re suppose to remember that.

Notice that we are told again that the furnace was a burning fiery furnace.  In Aramaic - the language this is written in - in Aramaic “burning” means... “burning.”  “Fiery” means… “fiery.”  “Furnace” means… “furnace.”  Repetition for emphasis.  Point being:  How hot is the fire?  Burning fiery hot.  Blazing.  Radiating heat - impossible to get near - hot.

Just in case we missed that - Scripture records Nebuchadnezzar’s order to heat the already blazing hot fire 7 times.  Just in case we miss that - the valiant warriors of Babylon get vaporized. 

Point being - these three guys with their cloaks and tunics and hats - oh my - are toast.

Verse 24:  Then King Nebuchadnezzar was astonished and rose up in haste.  He declared to his counselors, “Did we not cast three men bound into the fire?” - emphasis three - They answered and said to the king, “True, O king.”  He answered and said, “But I see four men unbound, walking in the midst of the fire, and they are not hurt; and the appearance of the fourth is like a son of the gods.”

Who’s the fourth person?  Some scholars say its an angel.  Some scholars say its Jesus.  We don’t know.  That isn’t the point.

The point is that these three guys - who are suppose to be toast - are not alone in that fire.  Instead they’re unbound - free.  Walking around - not trying to survive in some corner.  Not hurt - not harmed by the heat or fire.

Verse 26:  Then Nebuchadnezzar came near to the door of the burning fiery furnace - which is still really really hot - he declared, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, servants of the Most High God, come out, and come here!”  Then Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego came out from the fire.  And the satraps, the prefects, the governors, and the king’s counselors gathered together and saw that the fire had not any power over the bodies of those men.  The hair of the heads was not singed, their cloaks were not harmed, and no smell of fire had 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 - tunics and cloaks and hats and everything - 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 Nebuchadnezzar now calls Him - “The Most High God” - greater than any god made out of gold - it was the God that Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego chose to trust in and their God chose to deliver them. 

God has answered Nebuchadnezzar.

Point being:  These three young men are not alone.  God shows up.  God chooses to take care of them.  To God alone be the glory.

Verse 28:  Nebuchadnezzar answered and said, “Blessed be the God of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, who has sent His angel and delivered His servants, who trusted in Him, and set aside the king’s command, and yielded up their bodies rather than serve and worship any god except their own God.  Therefore I make a decree:  Any people, nation, or language - repeated for emphasis - all of whom just had a front row seat watching THE God at work - talk about a God glorifying God moment.  Huge.   Any people, nation, or language that speaks anything against the God of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego shall be torn limb from limb, and their houses laid in ruins - as if God needs Nebuchadnezzar to defend Him - for there is no other god who is able to rescue in this way.  Then the king promoted Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego in the province of Babylon.

There’s a pattern here of God’s blessing that we need to hang on to.  That we see over and over again in this book.  Almost like God wants us to get this.  Daniel - or here  - Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego 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. 

We’re together?  Let’s think about what all that can mean for us as we need courage to live for God in the greater Merced metropolitan area.

Two points of application.

First:  The Fear Factor.  

Last week Tommy Caldwell and Kevin Jorgeson completed their history free climb of El Capitan.  Did any of you follow that?  3,000 feet up what’s called the Dawn Wall - taking 19 days on the wall.  What’s been called the hardest big wall free climb to date.  Free climb meaning no staircase or ladders or anything to assist them in climbing.  The ropes are only in case they fall.

Just looking at those pictures my palms start sweating.  Anyone with me on that?  Don’t you just marvel at the athleticism and skill and strength.  Amazing.  Courage victorious over fear.

Years ago I was on Half Dome and crawled to the edge to peek over.

What brings fear to your heart?

Long ago in a church far far away…  Right after 9-11 - there was an interfaith prayer service 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 - bi - unsure.  You name it, they were there.  Each one there to offer prayers - chants - incantations - or whatever to a least a dozen plus deities.

The pressure for me to attend - to participate with all the other religious leaders - the pressure was enormous.  Despite my reservations I went.  I compromised what I know is true.  I’d caved into the pressure - the fear of the consequences of not going.  I will not do that again.

So many believe that religion is just politics in a different form - a tool of those who want to gain or hold power.  There’s a tremendous number of gods out there.  Different faith traditions.  Things that people believe or value.  Truth is relative.  What makes you think you’re better than anyone else?

As you and I live as believers in an unbelieving society - moving through our community and schools and work places - even in our families and with our friends there’s pressure 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.  Consequences - fear - if we don’t.

There’s a very subtle thought that comes to us when we’re choosing to stand for God in what we say and do.  “You’re sticking your neck out.  Think about the consequences if you do this.  You’re going to be on your own.”  Have you heard that voice?

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’ll never survive this.”

Satan wants us to think that way.  To fear.  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. 

That’s the fear factor.  Stand for God and you’re toast.

Second thought of application.  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, next in line to lead God’s people was… Joshua. 

How’d you like a job like that?  Following Moses as the leader of God’s people?  Ever been compared to someone else?  Unfavorably?  

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.  God says this to Joshua:  “Be strong and courageous, for you shall cause this people to inherit the land that I swore to their fathers to give them… Be strong and very courageous…  Have I not commanded you?  Be strong and courageous!  Do not be frightened, and do not 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?  Repeated for emphasis.  “I chose you.  It’s my plan.  No matter what, I’ll be with you.  Be strong.  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.  You will be my witnesses.  Behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”

Standing before that golden statue or living in Merced - 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 plan is.

The word “extremist” is very much in vogue today.  Being an extremist is tied to horrendous acts of violence in the name of religion.  The word “extremist” is now being applied to Christians.  Not in a good way.

What does an extremist Christian look like?  Someone who endeavors to live following the teaching and lifestyle of Jesus to the farthest extreme?

Jesus said that to follow Him meant giving up everything - our possessions - our family - our life - everything.  Total abandonment.  Total surrender.  Total submission.  Total dependence on the Holy Spirit.  Total  trust - faith - believing in God for everything.  Period.  To follow His command to go into the world witnessing of Him - obeying His commands and teaching others to obey Him.  (Matthew 19:16-30; 28:17-20; Luke 9:23,24,57-62; 17:33; John 6:53,54; 12:26; Philippians 2:1-11)

Jesus taught about praying for our enemies and on the cross He asked God to forgive those who were crucifying Him.  Jesus taught about loving those who persecute you and He died to save us.

I’m not there yet.  You all know that.  But, if in that challenge is what it means to be an extremist Christian - then may we be extremist Christians - following Jesus to the extreme of what it means to follow Jesus.

In that is courage.  Courage comes as we choose to die to what we fear and to live only for God’s glory.

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

As extreme as it may sound to some:  Living trusting God - whatever our circumstances no matter what the pressure or fear factor may be - that may not always be the outcome or circumstances that are in our comfort zone - sometimes that really does mean isolation and persecution and illness - but as we let go of all that - trusting God whatever His plan - living for His glory not ours - we begin to live in the realization that God really is there and He really does supply all that we need for whatever we’re confronted with. 

Bottom line:  Behind all that we’re 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.  Maybe even our own fears.    

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1. Quoted in John Eldredge, Wild At Heart

Unless otherwise indicated, Scripture quotations are from The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®  (ESV®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers.  Used by permission.  All rights reserved.