April 10 Shadrach, Meschach, and Abendigo
April 10, 2022
Shadrach, Meschach, and Abendigo
Even when the king said, “Bow or I’ll throw you into the fiery furnace”…. (Daniel 3:14-15)
Even when they made the furnace ten times hotter—-so hot that even the men who were escorting them to the furnace died from the heat. (Daniel 3:19-20)
Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego said, “Ride or die. We won’t bow.”
It’s important to recognize that for Shadrach, Meschach, and Abednego, the possibility of death was very, very high. Like 99.9%. The only hope they had was that God would come through and do a miracle. When these three men made their choice, there was no guarantee this would happen. (They hadn’t read the end of the story.)
Still, with no guarantee and the high probability of death by incineration, these ride or die men made this commitment: “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 3:17-18, NIV)
“But even if He does not”….
What a powerful statement! Now that’s ride or die.
It stands as an example for all of us committed to being ride or die men of God…no matter what happens.
Whether God does a miracle or we suffer consequences for our stand for Christ, we will still follow Him.
As we make this commitment, we have the promise that just as Jesus was in the fire with these three young men, He will be right there with us through it all. It is not guaranteed that the fire won’t touch us. However, we can always believe His words that He will never leave us or forsake us (Hebrews 13:5), that the Holy Spirit will give us the words we should speak (Luke 12:11-12), and that ride or die, He will be with us as we are with Him to the end of the line.
By: Jamie Holden, Mantour Ministries
Today’s Scripture:
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)
New International Version (NIV)
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