Daniel 3
“Relax, it’s not the end of the world.” How often have we heard that in our lives? It’s a common saying. As Christians, we live with a constant awareness of the end of the world, because the Bible teaches that it could happen at any time. This is the unique ID of the New Testament believer – we are living in the end times. But, more often the idea of the end of the world, or the lack thereof, brings to mind a different thought. That phrase is used as a way to downplay the seriousness or impact of something that seems very important. It’s a call to keep things in perspective, to not go crazy over a situation that is not that big of a deal.
To the struggling student working on their homework, a teacher or parent might say, “You won't always get it right, but it's not the end of the world if you don't.” When the job you really wanted or the offer on your dream house falls through – a friend might kindly say, “I know you’re upset, but at least it’s not the end of the world.” Or sometimes we use it to soften our own mistakes, like the person who says, “I know I offended them, but come on, it's not the end of the world.”
It’s true that most of the things we worry about are not really worth the time or trouble we think they are. The idea of the end of the world is seen by many to be nothing more than fantastic hyperbole. But what about things that are that big of a deal? What if we truly encounter something that will mean the end – maybe not of the world, but of us? That’s what Mishael, Hananiah, and Azariah were faced with in Daniel 3. It was – for them – a matter of the end of the world.
We see another decree of death from King Nebuchadnezzar, but this time it comes as a result of a stand that these three believers take. Their choice meant the difference between life and death, of their world as they knew it in time and space ending – it was really that black and white.
And yet, Shadrak, Meshach, and Abednego – as they’re more commonly known - didn’t act like it – at least, not in the way we would expect. They were fully aware of their situation. They knew the risks. They had time to think about their choice. But, despite all that, they chose death; not that they wanted to die but that they knew it was the reality of the situation they were in. They believed that even if life ended for them, which was certain from any sane observation, they would by okay. Who they really were, beyond mortal flesh and blood, would be safe-guarded by God. So, at times that are far less dire, we easily act like the world is ending. Yet, here, at a time that actually fit the saying – they acted like everything was fine.
Sometimes this story is described in terms of self-preservation. It is taught that Shadrak, Meshach, and Abednego cared little for their self-preservation. On the other hand, there were certainly some, if not many, on the plain of Dura that day who bowed down not because they truly wanted to worship the idol, but as an act of self-preservation. And can you blame them? Every human instinct in their bodies looked for a way out of this life or death situation. And truly, in human terms, there was really only one logical choice – bow down, don’t mean it, and live to see another day.
But to portray this account in such a way is to tarnish the actions of these three men. Shadrak, Meshach, and Abednego were not denying self-preservation, they were choosing the highest form of it. There is no greater life than the one lived with God by faith, and one day, eternally enjoyed in heaven. It was this life that was on the mind of these men. It was this life that they sought to preserve. Jesus once said, “And do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Rather fear him who can destroy both soul and body in hell (Matthew 10:28).” These words are the perfect summary of Shadrak, Meshach, and Abednego’s mindset in this situation. They were living for the higher life that only God gives and preserves. They were entrusting their lives into His care. They were passing over the temporary preservation of here and looking out for the health of their souls.
And it was not a foolish choice. And it wouldn’t have been even if they had been killed. How easy it is to compute the value of our choices based on how many others are doing the same thing. We do this with almost every decision we make. If the majority of people are doing something different, we feel anxious that we might be wrong somehow. It’s really the same essence as the common decisions that are driven by what we call “peer pressure.” Oftentimes, we think of peer pressure in adolescence, as a young person is working their way into adulthood and establishing thoughts, behaviors, and routines of their own. During this experimental period of burgeoning independence, it is so easy to fall prey to popular opinion. The desire to fit in and to be accepted by those around us is intense.
Yet, when we examine the behavior of adults, the same desire does not appear to fade much. From clothing, to home décor, to social status, to occupational influence, adults are just as intoxicated with peer pressure as teenagers. And that same thinking – which is ultimately rooted in selfish preservation and independent control – can have a devastating effect on our faith. Faith in Jesus is the so often the opposite of fitting in.
Jesus framed the New Testament era when He taught near the end of His ministry, Matthew 24:9 "Then they will hand you over for persecution, and they will kill you. You will be hated by all nations because of My name. 10 Then many will take offense, betray one another and hate one another.
Jesus also taught on another occasion: Matthew 10:24 "A disciple is not above his teacher, nor a servant above his master. 25 It is enough for the disciple to be like his teacher, and the servant like his master. If they have called the master of the house Beelzebul, how much more will they malign those of his household.
The New Testament Church accepts this reality as Paul wrote to Timothy, Indeed, all who desire to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted. Like Shadrak, Meshach, and Abednego – consider what is more important. Life now in the body or life by faith in Christ. Sometimes the difference in a situation is that black and white. No matter how strong the test, temptation, or persecution is – the higher life of faith in His name will never disappoint and it will never be a wasted effort to seek to preserve it at all costs.
When you’re studying bigger portions of Scripture like this, it’s interesting that usually the main thought can be found in one verse or a few words. In this chapter, we see that happen again in verse 18 as the three men speak five extremely powerful words, “But if He does not…” That was the essence of their faith in God – the evidence of its strength.
The outstanding miracle of this story is not the one that everyone remembers. Everyone thinks of the way these men were spared. How the fire was stoked 7 times hotter than normal. How the guards who carried them to their fates died because of the intensity of the heat and flames. How God sent an angel to protect them. How they didn’t even smell of smoke when they were delivered. Everyone remembers those details – with good reason.
But the miracle that was just as amazing as those things was the fact that three sinners made a decision based on the interests of their faith and not their material life. Not only did they stare death in the face to do this, they went against everyone else in their nation – even their king. At a time when it was easy to bow the knee without meaning it, they stood steadfast for God’s interests, and not their own. They trusted that whether they lived or died – they were the Lord’s, and that was what was most valuable to them. Only God could bring about such a miracle. Only the Holy Spirit, working in the hearts of these men, could grant such a magnificent thing.
The same thought is found in their confession. I mentioned those five words that serve as the pivot in this text, but consider again the surrounding verses. Nebuchadnezzar defiantly asked Shadrak, Meshach, and Abednego: “What god will be able to save you from my hands?” This was the moment of decision. The answer they gave would seal their fate – good or bad. And so, they replied to the king, “We have no need to answer you about this matter. Since our God, whom we serve, does exist, he is able to save us from the blazing fiery furnace. So, he may save us from your hand, Your Majesty.” There’s the miracle. This is what we all remember. God acts. God delivers. God saves. What faith they had to believe this!
Just when we think in our minds that faith cannot soar higher – it does! And so they continued, “But if he does not, you should know, Your majesty, that we will not serve your gods, and we will not worship the golden statue that you set up.” This is the greater miracle that is more easily forgotten. Even if God does not act, we still believe. Even if we are condemned, God still saves. Even if we die, God raises the dead. Even if all the world forsakes us, He remains faithful and so can we.
The cheap versions of faith in God are often laced in worldly pomp and popularity. They are more easily remembered. They allow opportunities for personal glory and tales of Christian virtue in the lives of the saints. These cheap versions are the easy versions. Even Nebuchadnezzar, at the end of this chapter declared the glory of the true God – but this faith didn’t last.
Real faith – solid faith, is beset with pain, hardship, trial, and persecution. It is the narrow path, strewn with the thorns of divots of this sinful world. No one seeks to travel this path, no one is up to the challenge. Only God can awaken the desire and fortitude to such a cause, and only in the name of Christ do fallen sinners rise to the challenge that ensues. And the path of such faith is marked by the phrase that defined these men – “But if He does not.” In such a lowly thought, such humble and plain words, is contained the greatest miracle – that God could create in sinful hearts a faith that trusts the unknown and the uncertain; a faith that sees through the haze and fog of unbelief to the greater vision of Christ the crucified; and hangs on to Him even unto death.
Most of the time, when you think your world is ending – it’s not. But the miracle of faith in Jesus promises you that even when it does – and it will – He will save you. Amen.
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