Last week, kids learned that Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego stood firm and worshipped only God even though it meant that they would be thrown into a furnace. 

Bible Story: The Image of Gold and the Blazing Furnace, Daniel 3

Bible Verse: Then Nebuchadnezzar said, "Praise be to the God of Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego, who has sent his angel and rescued his servants. They trusted in him and defied the king's command and were willing to give up their lives rather than serve or worship any god except their own God. Daniel 3:28

 King Nebuchadezzar made an image of gold, about 90 feet high and 9 feet wide and summomed the officials to come to the dedication of the image he had set up.  At the sound of the all kinds of music, nations and peoples of every language were to fall down and worship the image of gold and whoever does not fall down and worship would be immediately be thrown into a blazing furnace. However, some astrologers came forward and notified the king that Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego did not worship the images of gold. 

 Nebuchadenezzar was furious, brought these three men and asked, "Is it true, Shadrach, Meshacn and Abednego, that you do not serve my gods or worship the image of gold I have set up? Now when you hearthe 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?" He gave them a second chance to bow down and worship a false image he made. However, Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego stood firm for God and did not recant their faith. They replied, "King Nebuchadnezzar, we do not need to defend ourselves before you in this matter. 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. But even if he does not, we want you to know, that we will not serve your gods or worship the image of gold you have set up." They firmly believed that God has the power and authority to deliver them from the king and the furnace. They were also determined to not worship a false image even if God does not deliver them, because they only served and worshipped the One True God in heaven. Then Nebuchadenezzar was furious with them and commanded soldiers to throw them into the furnace. 

 Shortly after, Nebuchadnezzar saw four men walking around in the fire, unbound and unharmed, and the fourth looked like a son of the gods. When Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego came out, the officials were amazed to find that there was no sign, smell, of fire, or harm on their bodies. Then Nebuchadenezzar praised the God of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego and decreed that anyone who says anything against their God would be cut into pieces and their houses be turned into piles of rubble, for no other god can save in this way. 

 When everyone fell down and worshipped a false god, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego stood firm for their faith and chose to do the right thing. Obeying God's command was more important than sparing their own lives. They were not intimidated by the king's decree and were determined to worship only God even if it meant they would be thrown into a blazing furnace if they did not serve the image of gold. They did not compromise their faith, nor did they try to negotitate with the king. They knew that their God was the one True God and looked forward to the eternal kingdom of heaven. In our lives, there may be times we face pressure or temptation to follow the wordly pattern and do what everyone else does, even though it is clearly against the Word of God. Let us pray that God will help us be bold and courageous in our faith as Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego were. 

 Image: www.freebibleimages.org