Session 4

What happens when you stand up for your faith

From Daniel: A 14-Day Devotional

Government officials and commoners alike are gathered in the public square for the unveiling a new statue. A trumpet blows, the order is given and everyone kneels before the statue in worship as the band plays. 

Imagine the conflict in Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego as they wrestled with whether to kneel or stand. The penalty for not participating was death, and they were government officials. People were watching. To kneel was to betray their God, and to not kneel was to betray their king. 

Eventually, we all come to that moment when everyone else is doing one thing, but God has called us to do something different. To choose purity can impact our dating lives. To choose integrity can affect our upward mobility. To choose love makes us vulnerable in relationships. 

God has promised to be with us when life is hard, but often our hearts struggle to believe it. Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego didn’t know they’d find Jesus in the fire when they walked in the furnace. But they allowed their faith, not their fear, to guide their actions (Daniel 2:17-18). 

Faith rarely makes reasonable sense. So when people see faith in action, they need an explanation. As a result of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego’s faith, the king acknowledged God’s power, and people stood in awe. 

To the world, suffering is all pain no gain. But to God, there is no pain without gain. 

When we stand up for what we believe, the same thing happens. In the eyes of the world, suffering is all pain. But in the eyes of God, suffering is a vehicle for hope. 

Our faith might lead to suffering. But we take heart in those moments, knowing that suffering produces perseverance, character; and character, hope (Romans 5:3-5). 

Reflect:

• Are you in a situation where you feel like you’re choosing between God and others?
• Who do you think would be directly impacted by your faith to listen to God?