Be Faithful, No Matter What

 February 20, 2024

Tuesday

“There are certain Jews whom you have appointed over the administration of the province of Babylon, namely Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-nego. These men, O king, have disregarded you; they do not serve your gods, nor do they worship the golden statue which you have set up.”” (Daniel 3:12, NASB 2020)

I have preached so many times, "You may need to stand up for your Lord today." The truth is that we stand or don't stand for our Lord every day. These three young men didn't say, "You know the king is requiring us to bow down to him. Let's not do that." They were faithful to the Lord before Nebuchadnezzar made his decree. They only needed to continue to be faithful.

If we think that standing for the Lord is something we might do someday, we will not be able to stand. We stand for the Lord when no one bothers us. We continue to stand for the Lord when they do. If standing for the Lord isn't who we are, then we simply can't stand when things get tough.

Standing for the Lord often means that we don't participate in the things that would displease the Lord. It means that we hold onto Him rather than the things this world tempts us with. It may mean that we don't succeed like others. We may not get promoted when we fail to attend a work party that compromises our principles. We may be shunned by other when we don't watch what they watch. We may even be laughed at. None of this is easy.

Maybe we think it was easy for Shadrach, Meshach and Abed-nego to continue faithfully hoping they wouldn't get caught. Why would we think that? If it's not easy for us, why would it be easy for them? They determined that they would do as they always did.

There was a time when this was easier. There was a time when Christian principles were expected. There was a time when Christian living would be the best way to be promoted in your work. Those days may have ended but the need to continue in these principles remain.

Determine that you will be faithful today no matter what.

This week's sermon: https://prentis.podbean.com/e/prayer-for-a-nation/