Are you Alert? Are you prepared? How is your conduct? Are you ready for the test? In this devotion, Pastor/Professor Andrew Marquez looks at Daniel 3:1-18. This passage reveals the work of Nebuchadnezzar to counteract the dream of chapter 2. By building a statue of solid gold, Nebuchadnezzar rejects the vision of subsequent empires. By mandating worship to this statue, Nebuchadnezzar petitions his gods to continue his empire. The verses tell of the charges brought against Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, for not bowing to Nebuchadnezzar's golden statue. The Bible warns Christians that the world will bring accusations against them. Such charges may misrepresent our beliefs and actions. Peter calls believers to live with excellent conduct to shame accusers and perhaps to win them to glory in the day of Christ. Do you have courage in your convictions? The king offers the exiles a final chance to worship his image. Their response is among the greatest answers given in the Bible. "Our God . . . is able to deliver us from the burning fiery furnace, . . . but if not, be it known unto thee, O king, that we will not serve thy gods, nor worship the golden image which thou hast set up." Would you have such courage in the face persecution and death? Remain in Christ! Receive His grace, so that you will be ready when the trial comes.
