BEING PROMOTED
"THEN the king promoted Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-Nego in the province of Babylon."
Daniel 3:30 (NKJV)
Comment: Instead of being ashamed and executed, the trio—Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego—were rather promoted, because they stood for God. Your compromise, agreement or concession, would not help you; you would neither be in the good book of the Boss you wanted to sheepishly obey, nor having the favour of God.
Thus, It is better to be on the LORD'S side, saying; "IF I PERISH, I PERISH!" as said by Esther the queen (Esther 4:16).
If you decided to lose your life because of Christ Jesus, you will find it, however, If you wanted to keep your life, you will lose it, because you would not be able to keep it by yourself anyway: "FOR WHOEVER DESIRES TO SAVE HIS LIFE WILL LOSE IT, BUT WHOEVER LOSES HIS LIFE FOR MY [Jesus] SAKE AND THE GOSPEL'S WILL SAVE IT" (Mark 8:35 NKJV).
READ: Matthew 16:25
Be all out for God and stop being a secret disciple. If you are for God, let it be known wherever you find yourself.
We are studying and learning about the life of Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego today because they did not soil their garments of purity and righteousness. If they did not stand for their conviction in God, we would not have anything to learn about their lives. There would be no record of what they did and they would have been forgotten long time ago.
We read and study the Bible to know how to relate with God. We learn through the lives of those who walked with God; those who succeeded, what made them succeed, and those who failed, what made them fail (Romans 15:4; 1 Corinthians 10:11).
What are the things that other people can learn through your life, about serving God? In other words, Is your Christian life an encouragement and motivation for others to serve God? What would you be remembered for?
In addition, we could see in the passage, the text of this teaching, the trio, the group of three, were promoted (Daniel 3:30). Your good deeds or works would not be forgotten without being rewarded: "FOR GOD IS NOT UNJUST. HE WILL NOT FORGET HOW HARD YOU HAVE WORKED FOR HIM . . ." (Hebrews 6:10 NLT).
If you honoured God by keeping, practicing, His Word or commands, He also will honour you: "BUT NOW THE LORD SAYS: ‘FAR BE IT FROM ME; FOR THOSE WHO HONOUR ME I WILL HONOUR, AND THOSE WHO DESPISE ME SHALL BE LIGHTLY ESTEEMED" (1 Samuel 2:30 NKJV).
READ: 2 Timothy 2:11-13
Do not compromise your faith. When you live in sins or compromises, you are despising God. He says: AND THOSE WHO DESPISE ME SHALL BE LIGHTLY ESTEEMED [they would be insignificant and contemptible]" (1 Samuel 2:30).
For you not to lose your reward, either here on earth or in heaven; stand for your conviction, stand to defend your faith, and stand for your life to be an encouragement and comfort to others (2 Corinthians 1:3,4).
Peace.