How often does temptation cause you to hide your faith? Do you have friends or relatives who do not appreciate your beliefs? When asked about weekend plans, do you mention every detail except Sunday’s sermon? Satan uses family, friends and other relationships to tempt God’s people concerning their faith. Every time an individual succumbs to this temptation, he or she draws further from Christ. Those who hold on to the confession of faith draw closer to Him.
The Old Testament gives several examples of God’s people holding on to their faith during trials. The Book of Daniel details a situation with Shadrach, Meshach and Abed-Nego (Daniel 3). Their example demonstrates the power of confession and standing by one’s faith in God.
King Nebuchadnezzar erected a giant statue of himself in Babylon. He gathered many of the government officials together. He declared that at the sound of all sorts of musical instruments the officials would bow down to worship the idol. Any individual who failed to worship the idol would be thrown into a fiery furnace. The music sounded and all of the people except Shadrach, Meshach and Abed-Nego fell down to worship the idol. The king received news concerning their refusal to worship the image. He called them to himself. He reiterated his desire and expectation for idol worship. They withstood him and said, “If that is the case, our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from your hand, O king. But if not, let it be known to you, O king, that we do not serve your gods, nor will we worship the gold image which you have set up” (Daniel 3:17-18).
Their response infuriated the king. He commanded the furnace to be heated seven time hotter than normal. He had mighty men throw them into the furnace. The king’s mighty men died, but the fire did not harm Shadrach, Meshach and Abed-Nego. King Nebuchadnezzar looked into the fire to see four individuals walking in it. He supposed the fourth individual to be the “Son of God” (Daniel 3:25). King Nebuchadnezzar called for the three men to exit the fire. There was no evidence the fire hurt them at all. He then declared that any individual found who spoke anything amiss concerning their God would be severely punished.
Let us analyze the situation. The Hebrew men were in a land far away from their home. A notoriously harsh king tempted their faith. They did not participate in the commanded idol worship. The Lord stood with them during their punishment. The king was impacted positively by their faith, which also impacted the society as a result.
There are times when our confession of faith is tested. We should always be truthful about our belief in God. Jesus connects our confession of faith in Him to our salvation (Matthew 10:32-33). Take courage and withstand the temptation to deny our Lord. May we consider our faithfulness in the light of our confession.
