A Definitive Position!
Rev. J. Loren Russell
Daniel 3:8-12, 17-18 NKJV
Therefore, at that time certain Chaldeans came forward and accused the Jews. They spoke and said to King Nebuchadnezzar, “O king, live forever! You, O king, have made a decree that everyone who hears the sound of the horn, flute, harp, lyre, and psaltery, in symphony with all kinds of music, shall fall down and worship the gold image; and whoever does not fall down and worship shall be cast into the midst of a burning fiery furnace. There are certain Jews whom you have set over the affairs of the province of Babylon: Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-Nego; these men, O king, have not paid due regard to you. They do not serve your gods or worship the gold image which you have set up.”
“If that is the case, our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the burning fiery furnace, and He will 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.”
Angela Davis was quoted to have said, “I am no longer accepting the things I cannot change. I am changing the things I cannot accept.”
When circumstances, situations and conditions emerge or exists in society that do not glorify God or benefit humanity, it is incumbent on people who profess faith in the Lord to stand firm on their conviction and not concede, no matter the potential harm they may suffer.
Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-Nego were three Hebrew boys who had been enslaved during the Babylonian captivity. Because of the gifts the Lord gave to them, they were selected and prepared to serve king Nebuchadnezzar in his castle. When they refused to bow down and worship the golden image the king set over the city, they were called before the king and told that they would be thrown into the fiery furnace if they did not bow and worship at the sound of the horn, flute, lyre, and psaltery.
Not willing to accept what they could not change; they determined to change the thing they could not accept. Their refusal to bow and worship the golden image resulted in them being thrown into the fiery furnace that was heated seven (7) times hotter than usual. It was so hot that those who were charged with throwing them into the furnace were themselves burned alive. Yet, when king Nebuchadnezzar looked into the furnace, he saw four men walking around unhurt by the fire, and “the form of one of the fourth is like the Son of God!”
Their definitive position changed the heart of king Nebuchadnezzar. He issued a new decree; “Therefore I make a decree that any people, nation, or language which speaks anything amiss against the God of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-Nego shall be cut in pieces, and their houses shall be made an ash heap; because there is no other God who can deliver like this” (v.29). King Nebuchadnezzar also promoted them and they prospered.
I am not suggesting that everyone who takes a definitive position on what they believe to be just, will walk through the hot furnace of oppression, or be promoted into the house of the oppressor. But I am saying that anyone who does not take a
definitive position will never have the possibility of walking through a fiery furnace or converting the heart of evil. People of faith are charged in everything they do, every word they speak, every action they take, to glorify God and edify His people. During these turbulent times, like the three Hebrew boys, I encourage you to take a definitive position and change the things you cannot accept.
Be Blessed!!
Rev. J. Loren Russell is an associate minister at Goodwill Baptist Church and is the spiritual leader of the Evangelical Church of God, both in the Bronx, President/CEO of The JLR Company/J Loren R Consulting, LLC for Church Financial & Strategic Consulting (718-328-8096) and is the producer and host of “Matters of Faith – The Radio Show” on Monday nights from 8:00 – 10:00 PM on The Matters of Faith YouTube channel. Be sure to ‘Friend, Like, and Share.” Email us at mattersoffaith.mof@gmail.com. Order your copy of Matters of Faith: The eBook at www.smashwords.com/books/view/993177.
