Deeper Reflection
Nebuchadnezzar gave Shadrach, Mishael and Abednego a second chance to change their mind in refusing to worship his golden statue: “Now if you are ready…fall down and worship” (Dan 3:15a). We can be in adverse situations that such a second chance is hard not to take. But Shadrach, Mishael and Abednego were “ready” not to give in at all costs. And Nebuchadnezzar responded to this defiance with an arrogant assumption, “What god is there who can deliver you from my hands?” (Dan 3:15b).Judah under Hezekiah’s reign was invaded by the much stronger Assyrian king (v.9). In a long speech, Sennacherib made a theological challenge (vv.10-17): Can God deliver His people from his hand? “Proven” in all his conquests, Sennacherib confidently made a fourfold theological conclusion:

•  “Were the gods of the nations able at all to deliver from my hand?” (v.13)
•  “Who was there among all the gods of the nations who could deliver from my hand that your God should be able to deliver you from my hand?” (v.14)
•  “No god was able to deliver from my hand…How much less will your God deliver you from my hand?” (v.15)
• “As the gods of the nations have not delivered…so the God of Hezekiah will not deliver His people from my hand” (v.17)

These are powerful words of untruth and doubt that can shake and break our faith. Everything in our lives is fundamentally theological: It all has to do with God. In all our crises, we face the similar theological challenge as Hezekiah. But what is our theological conclusion?