PAUL'S AMAZING TEACHINGS | THE FAITH OF THE THREE FRIENDS OF DANIEL IN THE OLD TESTAMENT

Pastor Christopher Choo

Lesson 3194

PAUL'S AMAZING TEACHINGS

THE FAITH OF THE THREE FRIENDS OF DANIEL IN THE OLD TESTAMENT

For refusing to bow to the idol of the king of Babylon, these three young Jewish friends of Daniel were sentenced to be burnt to death.

The final words of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-nego are truly memorable:

" O Nebuchadnezzar, we do not need to give you an answer concerning this matter. If it be so, our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the furnace of blazing fire; and He will deliver us out of your hand, O king. But even if He does not, let it be known to you, O king, that we are not going to serve your gods or worship the golden image that you have set up’” ( Daniel 3:16-18 ).

The faith these three men had in what God could do was based upon more than just what they had experienced personally. Their faith was based upon what the word of God taught. We must have the same kind of faith. Paul wrote, “Faith comes from hearing, and hearing by the word of Christ” (Romans 10:17). We know what God can do because we know, from His word, what He has already done.

These three men acknowledged God’s power to deliver them while also recognizing that the decision about this rested with God alone. They were not imposing their will on God's sovereign will.

Paul wrote, “Indeed, all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will be persecuted” (2 Timothy 3:12).God may not miraculously deliver us today as He did with these men. But though we have no promise of deliverance in this life, we do have the promise of a reward in heaven. The Lord told the suffering and persecuted church in Smyrna, “Behold, the devil is about to cast some of you into prison, so that you will be tested, and you will have tribulation for ten days. Be faithful until death, and I will give you the crown of life” (Revelation 2:10). 

Abba Father, salvation is for the faithful, but we must be willing to endure suffering in the meantime.

The examples of these three men of faith have four invaluable lessons for us in the New Testament:

1. Know what God has instructed in His word and simply obey it. 

2. Have confidence in God as the Almighty Creator of the universe.

3. Recognize and appreciate the fact that God’s will is not the same as man’s will. 

4. Finally, be willing to suffer for your faith, knowing that God has promised a great reward which we will receive when this life is over.