Be Solid in Your Commitment

Pray – (1/2 minute)

Read – (2 1/2 minutes) – “Therefore, as soon as they heard the sound . . . of music, all the peoples, nations and men of every language fell down and worshiped the image of gold the King Nebuchadnezzar had set up. At this time some astrologers came forward and denounced the Jews. They said to King Nebuchadnezzar, ‘…there are some Jews…Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego – who pay no attention to you, O king. They neither serve your gods nor worship the image of gold you have set up.’ (Daniel 3:7-12)
       Passage: Romans 12:1-2

        There may have been around 300,000 Jews who were forced to come to the area where the image of the king had been placed. Whatever the number, they all bowed down in fear of being thrown into the fire . . . except three. The three young men did not bow because they had already determined that their commitment to God was more important than avoiding the consequence they faced. I believe one key reason is they knew their true identity. They had each been give a Babylonian name as an attempt to conform them to the culture. Those names sought to identify them with a god of the Babylonians. However, their true names identified them with Jehovah. Hananiah – Beloved of the Lord. Mishael – Who is like God? Azariah – The Lord is my help.
        The world will try to squeeze you into a mold and get you to compromise or even quit your faith. Know who you are in Christ and stay solid in your commitment to Him. He will give you the strength you need to stand firm in your convictions.

Apply - (2 1/2 minutes)
____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Pray - (1 1/2 minutes)