Astonishing Courage

Welcome to our study on living with Astonishing Courage. Over the next five days, we’re going to be exploring just a few of the hundreds of stories in Holy Scripture of God’s people having courage in the face of incredible odds; men and women who, because they trusted in God, were able to stand when all around them fell. But we’re not just going to look at these stories for the sake of remembering; we’re going to use them to encourage ourselves to take a courageous step ourselves in five days' time. So, let’s pray together and then jump into the amazing story of three young men who stood against a king.

God, I want to be courageous this week. Over the next few days, help me to be encouraged by your Word and spurred on by your Spirit. As I move toward taking a courageous step of faith, protect me from my fears and shelter me from the attacks of the enemy. You are with me, and I am with you. Amen.

Maybe you’ve heard of them, maybe you even remember their names. The story of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego is a popular one in Sunday schools across the world because, to a small boy or girl, it can help them see that they can face their fears knowing that God is with them. But how much more powerful can that same truth be for us all these years later? Sure, we’re probably no longer afraid of what monster may be lurking under our bed while we sleep, but there is plenty in the world today that can freeze us in our tracks with fear. Anxiety levels are skyrocketing, the news is constantly pumping fear of the future into our minds, and our phones are easy portals towards the aptly-named “doom scrolling.” The reality is that many things in our world are screaming at us to bow down before the thing we fear the most. In Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego’s case, the most powerful man in the world was screaming at them to do the same or face the consequences:

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

Can you imagine the faith and courage it took to respond to the King this way? Would you honestly have reacted this way if you were in their shoes? As we journey together towards taking a step of courage at the end of this study, take a moment to think about what person, obstacle, or idol is threatening you if you don’t submit to its perceived authority. One of the things we should take encouragement in from this story in the book of David is Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego’s astonishing courage and faith is that not only was God powerful enough to deliver them from the worst their enemy, but that even if He didn’t, the punishment would be worth it to simply do what was right.

In their case, they refused to bow down and worship the golden image that King Nebuchadnezzar had created. What is it for you? Maybe it’s already clear to you what your step of courage will be, and maybe it isn’t. Either way, ask God to reveal it to you over the next few days, and remember that He is the one who is with you as you step towards what looks like fire.