Stand Tall – Be Strong!

There are times when I have to take a stand for what I believe. There are times when I feel pushed in a corner and in order to honor God, I must speak up and speak out. I believe in the Word of God. I believe that Jesus came and walked this earth and lived a sinless life and then died a sacrificial death. He conquered death when he rose from the dead! Because I know the Creator of LIFE, Death is not the scariest thing I can face. I think the reason I fear death is because I’ve not had the opportunity to interview someone who has died and experienced eternity. It’s a promise that I firmly believe in.

I love this story in Daniel when his three friends stood tall for their faith in God. King Nebuchadnezzar built a statue and when the music played the entire assembly was to bow down in worship. Shadrach, Meshach & Abednego politely refused. Check this out….

13 Furious with rage, Nebuchadnezzar summoned Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego. So these men were brought before the king, 14 and Nebuchadnezzar said to them, ‘Is it true, Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego, that you do not serve my gods or worship the image of gold I have set up? 15 Now when you hear the sound of the horn, flute, zither, lyre, harp, pipe and all kinds of music, if you are ready to fall down and worship the image I made, very good. But if you do not worship it, you will be thrown immediately into a blazing furnace. Then what god will be able to rescue you from my hand?’

16 Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego replied to him, ‘King Nebuchadnezzar, we do not need to defend ourselves before you in this matter. 17 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. 18 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 3:13-18 NIV)

I love how this story ends when these three are thrown into the furnace and there is fourth person there with them. The king and his men are blown away by the power of God to save them.  My favorite part of this whole story was the resolve of these three, confident in the Power of God to save them, BUT – EVEN – IF – HE – DOES – NOT… that is CONVICTION on display. They knew what God would have them do. They would loose their position in the kingdom as leaders – more important, they could loose their lives. They didn’t blink. They didn’t debate it. They stood tall and strong and refused to bow down.

When the king called them out, He now declared profound respect for God because of their faith. He also promoted them as leaders! God was honored and so were the obedient faithful three.

These men inspire me to be strong in my faith and always be ready to stand tall for the Lord and be strong.

Pressing On!

Dwayne