Even to the Point of Death – October 30, 2024

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

Even to the Point of Death

Is Christ worth dying for?

Three men found themselves staring at the reality of a fiery death. They had been loyal to King Nebuchadnezzar, but that loyalty could go no further when he demanded that they bow to a tall, golden idol of himself. To refuse would mean death by fiery furnace. Many others had bowed out of fear, but not these three. They were faithful to the Lord, who had always watched over them. They would remain faithful to him, even if they lost their lives.

When they refused to worship the idol, the king got so enraged that he had the furnace heated to an extreme temperature. The flames consumed even the strong soldiers who threw the men into the furnace. Yet we hear no begging, no cries for mercy from the three faithful men. They knew that their God could save them in life or by death.

Will we find ourselves in such a situation? Perhaps. Perhaps not. Either way, the God who saved those three men is the same God who saves us. Even Nebuchadnezzar had to acknowledge that. But how can you be sure? You have a Savior who endured to the end for you, who suffered the punishment of death we all deserve for our sins. You have a Savior who abandoned the tomb for you on Easter morning.

You have a God who promises to deliver you when you must stand firm, whether in this life or by bringing you into eternal life. No one else can do that. Can we live a life of courageous witness even to the point of death? With Christ as our Savior-God, we can!

Prayer:
O Lord, it is far too easy for me to cave into the pressures and opposition of this world. Forgive my sins and help me to see that you will deliver me in this life or the life to come. Amen.