Courage has many faces. It expresses itself differently based on the circumstances at hand. Sometimes, it shows up as mental strength when we don’t allow ourselves to be influenced by too many opinions. At other times, courage causes us to stand up for truth and show moral strength in the midst of compromise. There are times when we are faced with opposition, and we show courage when we don’t give up. In some cases, fear pushes us to retreat, but courage overcomes fear and does not run when things get hard.
Definition of Courage ( according to Webster’s Dictionary): mental or moral strength to venture, persevere, and withstand danger, fear, or difficulty.
When we look at the Bible, the people of God showed courage in different ways as they were faced with opposition, difficulty, lies, and injustice. In the next few devotionals, I will share about the Biblical account of God’s people and the faces of courage revealed in the midst of tough situations.
But if you do not worship, you shall be cast immediately into the midst of a burning fiery furnace. And who is the god who will deliver you from my hands?” Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-Nego answered and said to the king, “O Nebuchadnezzar, we have no need to answer you in this matter. If that is the case, our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the burning fiery furnace, and He will deliver us from your hand, O king. But if not, let it be known to you, O king, that we do not serve your gods, nor will we worship the gold image which you have set up.” Daniel 3: 15-18
Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-Nego were commanded to submit to the demands of a pagan king and were pressured to compromise their allegiance to God. They chose not to worship the king and to disobey the established edict. Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-Nego showed courage in the midst of the opposition by having mental and moral resolve. They committed to staying unshakable in spite of the outcome. They knew that God was all powerful and could save them. However, they didn’t know if God was planning on rescuing them. Therefore, they decided that if God didn’t save them from this tough predicament, they were still going to remain loyal to God. Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-Nego were willing to stand tall and pay the price of obedience.
What if Shadrach, Meshak, Abed-Nego hadn’t shown moral strength? What if they decided that they only would stand their ground until they reach the furnace? They could have set a limit as to how long they would hold on to their stance. They could have presumed that God will strike the soldiers dead, and they would not be thrown in the furnace. What if their plan was that as soon as the soldiers tied their hands and feet and opened the furnace, they would give up on their stance?
Praise God for Shadrach, Meshak, Abed-Nego’s courage and obedience. If they hadn’t shown moral resolve, they would have completely missed seeing God’s deliverance in their lives.We also would have missed not having their story in the Bible to inspire and challenge our faith.
It was in the midst of the fire that God protected Shadrach, Meshak, and Abed-Nego. Sometimes God wants to do the same for us. If we decide to retreat too soon, we will miss seeing God’s deliverance. When God’s strength sustains us in the midst of the fire, not only we gain a new revelation about God’s character, but also others around us see the strength and the provision of God in the midst of the battle.
Are in the midst of a fire right now? Are you being pressured to compromise your beliefs by those around you? Are you willing to be courageous in the midst of the trial and allow God to deliver you as he sees fit?
