✿What happens when we take a bold stand?

Hi....

Greetings from India.

There is a moral and spiritual decline all around us. It's at a time like this we who are called the 'children of the Most High God' are to stand up to be seen, speak up to be heard and take an uncompromising stand.

This is what I learnt when reading Daniel chapter 3 .

Hope this blesses you.

When Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego were asked to bow before an image of gold, ninety feet high and nine feet of King Nebuchadnezzar, they refused. When the King questioned them why they refused

to bow down they replied,

Daniel 3: 16"O Nebuchadnezzar, we do not need to defend ourselves before you in this matter. 17 If we are thrown into the blazing furnace, the God we serve is able to save us from it, and he will rescue us from your hand, O king. 18 But even if he does not, we want you to know, O king, that we will not serve your gods or worship the image of gold you have set up."

The moment we take an uncompromising stand, God will surely move on our behalf.

With all the persecution we see and hear of against people who refuse to compromise and take a bold stand for what they believe in, some people wonder if God's watching all this and what He is doing. But God is still in control and He sure is setting up a stage for the greatest revival ever.

What happens when we take a bold stand??

 1) We are Noticed:

The people around notice us when we stand.

Daniel 3:12 "But there are some Jews whom you have set over the affairs of the province of Babylon—

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."

2) The world gets irritated and hates us:

The World will surely react when we stand up for our Savior. The reaction may be positive or negative.

Daniel 3: 13 :Furious with rage, Nebuchadnezzar summoned Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego. So these men were brought before the king,"

WE may be hated and despised for our stand. But this should not turn us back or force us to quit.

And we need to continue to love those who hate us and pray for those who persecute us. For vengeance is not ours.

3)They will question our commitment.

Daniel 3: 14 and Nebuchadnezzar said to them, "Is it true, Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego, that you do not serve my gods or worship the image of gold I have set up?

When we are questioned we need to be able to give them clear and wise answers. We need to ask the Holy Spirit to put the right words in our mouths. He will come to our aid.

Mark 13: 11 "Whenever you are arrested and brought to trial, do not worry beforehand about what to say. Just say whatever is given you at the time, for it is not you speaking, but the Holy Spirit."

4) The world will test our commitment:

Daniel 3:  19 "Then Nebuchadnezzar was furious with Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego, and his attitude toward them changed. He ordered the furnace heated seven times hotter than usual 20 and commanded some of the strongest soldiers in his army to tie up Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego and throw them into the blazing furnace."

Should times of testing turn us away? NO!

It is a time to make a personal commitment.

1) A commitment to serve our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, no matter what the cost. We may loose some friends, somethings close to us but the commitment is worth the cost.

2) God's pleased with our commitment. He moves on our behalf,

so that others take note of our commitment.

Daniel 3: 24 Then King Nebuchadnezzar leaped to his feet in amazement and asked his advisers, "Weren't there three men that we tied up and threw into the fire?"

      They replied, "Certainly, O king."

25 He said, "Look! I see four men walking around in the fire, unbound and unharmed, and the fourth looks like a son of the gods."

3) Our commitment brings Glory to God.

4) Our commitment to stand up for our Lord Jesus Christ, it will result in many turning to the truth and acknowledging the Lordship of Jesus Christ.

Daniel 3: 28 "Then Nebuchadnezzar said, "Praise be to the God of Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego, who has sent his angel and rescued his servants! They trusted in him and defied the king's command and were willing to give up their lives rather than serve or worship any god except their own God."

5) God will deal with those who persecute us in His own time because He is a righteous judge.

Daniel 3: 29 Therefore I decree that the people of any nation or language who say anything against the God of Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego be cut into pieces and their houses be turned into piles of rubble, for no other god can save in this way."

Hebrews 10: 30 For we know him who said, "It is mine to avenge; I will repay," and again, "The Lord will judge his people." 31It is a dreadful thing to fall into the hands of the living God.

6) Commitment to take a bold stand always ends with promotion. 

Daniel 3:30 "Then the king promoted Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego in the province of Babylon."

Let's not be afraid or ashamed to stand up to be seen for who we believe in and speak up to be heard.

Stay blessed,

YSIC,

Julia