Integrity on Fire (Literally)

Keeping our integrity can be hard, just ask Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego.

The three men knew they were in trouble when King Nebuchadnezzar created and ordered his subjects to worship the 90-foot gold statue of himself. Anyone who refused to worship the idol would be thrown into a fiery furnace. Because their commitment was to God alone, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego decided to remain faithful to the Lord and refused to worship the statue no matter the consequences. 

When confronted by the enraged King Nebuchadnezzar, they responded:

“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, Your Majesty, that we will not serve your gods or worship the image of gold you have set up.” 
Daniel 3:17-18

Notice what they say, “Even if He does not deliver us from the furnace, we will not serve your gods.” 

Maintaining integrity means you trust God and do the right thing even when it means you could lose everything. In Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego’s case, it would have meant losing their lives. 

Is anyone asking you to violate your integrity? Are you being tempted to compromise your faith? 

This week, Dare to Ask God to give you the faith of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego. Next week, we will look at what happened to the three men because they chose to keep their integrity.