Deeper Reflection
WHO DO YOU SERVE? “GOD.” UNWAVERINGLY AND FAITHFULLY? “Yes.” Even if it will cost you your life? “I…er…um…” Unlike this imagined dialogue, there was no hesitation on the part of Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego. Confronted with a choice of who they would serve and worship, the three young men resolutely maintained that they would serve and worship only their God – Yahweh, the God of heaven³² – even though that would mean being thrown into a burning fiery furnace resulting in certain death. Even if God did not deliver them from the hand of King Nebuchadnezzar, they would not serve his gods or worship the golden statue that he had set up (vv.16-18). Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego would rather die than turn away from Yahweh to serve and worship false gods.Whenever we serve in Christian ministry, we should remember that we are serving God. To serve God is to worship Him. We are to worship God and Him alone. But along the way, we will face temptations to serve false gods like the idols of money, sensuality, power and fame. If we give in to those temptations, we will stop serving God. The enemy may even threaten to harm us when we seek to start or continue serving in Christian ministry. We must be sober-minded and watchful against the devil’s attacks (1 Pet 5:8). We must submit ourselves to God and resist the devil (Jas 4:7; 1 Pet 5:9). God Himself will restore, confirm, strengthen and establish us (1 Pet 5:10). The starting point is to resolve today to put away all false gods and serve the Lord (Josh 24:14-15).

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³² Cf. Genesis 24:3, 7; Daniel 2:18, 19, 37, 44.