The Decision at our Door

We admire and hold high as examples to follow, Daniel and the three Hebrew men when they asserted they would not bow and worship or serve any god but the one true God, the God of the Hebrews, YHWH (Daniel 3: 16-18; 6: 1-28 ESV). They did so at the peril of their lives.

They would have stood with Paul when he declared, “I do not account my life of any value nor as precious to myself, if only I may finish my course and the ministry that I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify to the gospel of the grace of God” (Acts 20:24).

These are of the ilk that make up that great cloud of witnesses who cheer us on even today, those who walked by faith, though for some it led to being “tortured, refusing to accept release, so that they might rise again to a better life. Others suffered mocking and flogging, and even chains and imprisonment. They were stoned, they were sawn in two, they were killed with the sword. They went about in skins of sheep and goats, destitute, afflicted, mistreated— of whom the world was not worthy—wandering about in deserts and mountains, and in dens and caves of the earth” (Hebrews 11:35-38).

Brothers and sisters all over our world today are facing similar challenges—and decisions. Shall they acquiesce or stand firm, even though it may mean suffering or dying, for themselves and their families?

Daniel and Shadrach, Meshach and Abed-nego, though their lives were spared by God’s intervention, stand in company with those who “have conquered him (the devil, v.12) by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony, for they loved not their lives even unto death” (Revelation 12:11). These died for their faith. The list of the martyrs is lengthening daily.

We North American Christians are faced with similar, yet many subtle challenges to our faithfulness to God. Will we be faithful to the Word of God, to our profession of faith in the God of the Bible and his commands? Will we stand with our present-day Daniels and Pauls and the faithful followers of Christ who lay it all on the line to obey the truth of God’s everlasting Word?

“It would be a violation of my most deeply held convictions to disobey what I consider to be the principles in Scripture. The Creator will not hold us guiltless if we turn a deaf ear to the cries of His innocent babies. So come and get me if you must, Mr. President. I will not bow before your wicked regulation” (James Dobson. Read more at http://www.wnd.com/2014/05/dobson-obama-is-abortion-president/#q33wlUMoSQW0ymRo.99).

 “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 NIV).

The voices of the prophets still ring out today. Are we listening? Will we stand with them?