I recently read an article stating that we as Christians are often tempted to put ourselves in a box, a box of comfort, compromise, and cultural acceptance. The statement made me think of the three young Hebrew men in Daniel 3 – Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego. Taken captive by Nebuchadnezzar from Jerusalem to Babylon, they were placed in the most advanced and influential city of their time.

            The three men had been taught to serve the one true God. In the midst of Babylon’s wealth and cultural power, they determined not to defile themselves with the world’s offerings. God shaped their values, not culture.

         We read in Daniel 3 that King Nebuchadnezzar erected a massive statue. He ordered all people to bow down and worship the image, or be thrown into a fiery furnace. Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego refused to bow down. Their allegiance was to the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.

            What is interesting is that at the time of this occurrence, these young men had been living in Babylon for three to five years. They were not slaves. They served the king and lived privileged lives, enjoying favour, comfort, and respect.

            Yet when push came to shove, they refused to bow down to any god but the one true God. They did not conform to the culture. They upheld their values, no matter the cost.

            And there was a cost. You know the story. They were thrown into the fiery furnace, heated seven times hotter than usual. But before this happened, Nebuchadnezzar gave them an opportunity to change their minds and obey his command.

            What was their answer to renege on their beliefs? “...O Nebuchadnezzar, we do not need to defend ourselves before you, If we are thrown into the blazing furnace, the God we serve is able to save us. He will rescue us from your power, Your Majesty. But even if he doesn’t, we want to make it clear to you, Your Majesty, that we will never serve your gods or worship the gold statue you have set up” (Daniel 3:16-18 NLT, bolding mine).

            If you were in the place of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, what would you have done? What would I have done? I’ve asked myself that question a number of times. Would I say, “it’s only a statue?” “We know idols mean nothing?” “Everyone else is doing it?” “I’ll just bow down a little bit with my body, but in my head, I’ll be standing?”
            Have we, as believers, allowed the culture to shape our values instead of standing strong so our values affect the culture? Has that which was once sacred, rooted in the Kingdom of God, become relative? Have things which were once honoured become optional and the holy profane?

            Isaiah gave a warning regarding this. “It is bad for those who call what is sinful good, and good sinful, who say dark is light and light is dark, who make bitter sweet, and sweet bitter!”
(Isaiah 5:20 NLV).

            Today, more than ever, we need the holy courage of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego to stand against the tsunami of our progressively wicked culture. May we allow the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob to restructure our values so they align with His.
 
Inspiration for this article was provided by Pastor Bill of Faithworks Centre, North Wiltshire, PEI

 
            God’s Word is the story of allegiance to God versus rebellion against Him.

        “But if you don't want to worship the Lord, then choose here and now! Will you worship the same idols your ancestors did? Or since you're living on land that once belonged to the Amorites, maybe you'll worship their gods. I won't. My family and I are going to worship and obey the Lord!” Joshua 24:15 (CEV).

        “The serpent was the shrewdest of all the wild animals the Lord God had made. One day he asked the woman, “Did God really say you must not eat the fruit from any of the trees in the garden?” (Genesis 3:1 NLT).

        “When the woman saw that the fruit of the tree was good for food and pleasing to the eye, and also desirable for gaining wisdom, she took some and ate it. She also gave some to her husband, who was with her, and he ate it” Genesis 3:6 (NIV).

             God’s Word is the story of kingdom versus kingdom.

        “Jesus said, ‘My kingdom does not belong to this world. If it did, my disciples would have fought for me. They would have fought so that the Jewish leaders could not take hold of me. No, my kingdom belongs to another place’” (John 18:36 EASY).

           “But when I force out demons by the power of God's Spirit, it proves that God's
kingdom has already come to you” (Matthew 12:28 CEV).

            God’s Word is the story of seed versus seed.
Then the Lord God said to the serpent,
“Because you have done this, you are cursed
    more than all animals, domestic and wild.
You will crawl on your belly,
    groveling in the dust as long as you live.
 And I will cause hostility between you and the woman,
    and between your offspring and her offspring.
He will strike your head, and you will strike his heel.” Genesis 3:14-15 (NLT)
 
        "Now to Abraham and his Seed were the promises made. He does not say, 'And to seeds,' as of many, but as of one, 'And to your Seed,' who is Christ" (Galatians 3:16 NKJV).

          God’s Word is the story of authority challenged and authority restored.

        “How dare the nations plan a rebellion. Their foolish plots are futile! Look at how the power brokers of the world rise up to hold their summit as the rulers scheme and confer together against YAHWEH and his Anointed King, saying: ‘Let’s come together and break away from the Creator. Once and for all let’s cast off these controlling chains of God and of his Christ!’” (Psalm 2:1-3 TPT).

      “...Hallelujah! For the Lord our God, the Almighty, reigns!...then I saw heaven opened, and suddenly a white horse appeared. The name of the one riding it was Faithful and True, and with pure righteousness he judges and rides to battle...He wore a robe dipped in blood, and his title is called the Word of God” (Revelation 19:6,11,13 TPT).

        Paul did not mince words about the reality of spiritual warfare.

       “For our fight is not against any physical enemy: it is against organisations and powers that are spiritual. We are up against the unseen power that controls this dark world, and spiritual agents from the very headquarters of evil” (Ephesians 6:12 Phillips).

        What are we to do? Armour-up!

      “Take your stand then with truth as your belt, righteousness your breastplate, the Gospel of peace firmly on your feet, salvation as your helmet and in your hand the sword of the Spirit, the Word of God. Above all be sure you take faith as your shield, for it can quench every burning missile the enemy hurls at you. Pray at all times...” (Ephesians 6:13 Phillips).

       Yes, we are presently in a battle. And as we wait for the Lord’s return, we need to follow Peter’s advice. “Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour.  Resist him, standing firm in the faith...” (1 Peter 5:8-9 NIV).

       But always remember – as believers in Jesus, we’re on the winning side.
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      “Yet even in the midst of all these things, we triumph over them all, for God has made us to be more than conquerors, and his demonstrated love is our glorious victory over everything! (Romans 8:37 TPT).