by: Keith Phemister
There seems to be a growing attitude among Christians that is quite alarming. We have this idea that God owes us something when we are obedient. Well, we can see from Scripture that Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego didn’t take that attitude with them. Somewhere along the line, that memo was misplaced, for in Daniel 3:17 it says, “…our God, whom we serve, is able to deliver us from the burning fiery furnace, and he will deliver us out of thine hand, O king” Then, in verse 18, it begins with these convicting words, “But if not…”.
Someone said that the measure of a man is what it takes to stop him. If that be the case, the measure of these men is through the roof. In other words, these three Hebrew men were well aware of the potential consequences in choosing to do the right thing. They would not be swayed into making a decision based on how they thought it would benefit them, but make the decision on principles of truth.
Right is right and wrong is wrong was their motto. They did not do right and expect to get rewarded for it. They did right because it was the right thing to do and God was well able to deliver them, but if not… so what! Too many people get disappointed with God and lead a fruitless life as a result. Disappointment with God should not cause any of us to trust Him any less.
Job said it well: “…though he slay me, yet will I trust in him: but I will maintain mine own ways before Him.” We have this idea that God owes us something because we are obedient. I understand that God blesses obedience (and He will as He sees fit), but the simple truth is that we are supposed to be obedient. A child is supposed to obey mom and dad. I am all for praising right choices. I believe a child needs the positive reinforcement. I am concerned about parents who put the carrot out there for a child to take in order to get them to obey. This could cause many problems down the road. Sure, they will have temporary obedience, but what are we teaching them about life? Do this and get this! However, in the grand scheme of things, God is sovereign. We are all subject to God’s divine will.
For example – 2 pastors are threatened with death and one dies while the other does not. Two Christians are diagnosed with cancer and one dies while the other one does not. Two families are serving God, but one seems to be thrown into a “trouble tornado” constantly.
Israel said in Malachi 3 – “It is vain to serve God. What profit does it profit us to do right?” Is that where we are today? We do things based on whether we profit from it or not? I don’t see any fruit from soul winning so I won’t go, says Unhappy Christian. However, we are to go soul winning cause it is the right thing to do. We ought to do right no matter what! So what caused these three men to do what they did – NO MATTER WHAT!
1. I believe they did it because they had convictions. A conviction is very simply defined as something you would die for. I guess this was one, huh. Death was staring them in the face. They were not going to bow down and worship the golden image. That was wrong. The choice was an easy one when you didn’t think about the possible ramifications of the decision. I choose to do right! A preference is something you believe is right but you wouldn’t die for the choice made. I have a preference in dogs over cats, but if someone put a gun to my head and said, “Tell me that cats are better than dogs,” I would tell them real fast!
2. I believe they did it because they were confident in their God that He would come through. Notice they said, “Our God is able.” They knew, I am sure, that nothing is too hard for God.
As a pastor, it is vitally important to gain the trust of my followers. I must make myself available to them, spend time with them and minister to them. Isn’t that what Jesus did with His followers? I think so, and He had a great host of followers during His ministry.
3. They were obviously committed to their God. I heard of an experiment that was done on some teenagers some time back. Ten teens were brought in and shown three lines on a blackboard. Individually, nine were told to vote for the 2nd longest as being the longest. The other was told nothing and was therefore the guinea pig; to see how peer pressure would affect his decision. So, all ten were brought in and asked to identify the longest line on the board. One by one, each identified the 2nd longest as the longest. Finally, the last one was asked his answer. He identified with the rest of them. Most people are not committed to right. They are followers and do not want to be the one outside looking in.
God help us, if we are willing to say, “God if you do this, then I will do this!” We need Christians who do right NO MATTER WHAT!
Keith Phemister, Pastor
Lighthouse Baptist Church
Hudson, NH