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The Courage to Go Against the Crowd

by Bryan Gibson

October 22, 2009

It must have been a sight to behold—a gold image that stretched 90 feet into the air. King Nebuchadnezzar was proud of his handiwork, and so he invited officials from throughout his kingdom to come to a dedication ceremony (Daniel 3:1-2). They all gathered in front of the image, and the following announcement was made: “To you it is commanded, O peoples, nations, and languages, that at the time you hear the sound of the horn, flute, harp, lyre, and psaltery, in symphony with all kinds of music, you shall fall down and worship the gold image that King Nebuchadnezzar has set up; and whoever does not fall down and worship shall be cast immediately into the midst of a burning fiery furnace” (Daniel 3:3-6). Put that kind of incentive before people, and you can understand what happened next. When the band played, everyone fell down and worshiped the image (Daniel 3:7).

Well, almost everyone! Three of the king’s officials—Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego—refused to worship the image. Never mind that this order came from the king, and never mind that everyone else was doing it, and never mind that they would be tossed alive into a fiery furnace. They were determined to do right, no matter what price they had to pay (Daniel 3:12). God said to worship Him and Him alone, and that’s what they were determined to do.

Speaking of the king, he was incensed when he found out. Daniel 3:13 says that “Nebuchadnezzar, in rage and fury, gave the command to bring Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego” (Daniel 3:13). It would have been easy for them to waver at this point, but when the king offered them a second chance, and once again announced the punishment if they didn’t comply, this is what they had to say: “O Nebuchadnezzar, we have no need to answer you in this matter. If that is the case, our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the burning fiery furnace, and He will deliver us from your hand, O king. But if not, let it be known to you, O king, that we do not serve your gods, nor will we worship the gold image which you have set up” (Daniel 3:16-18). In other words, “Our mind is made up—whether God chooses to save us or not. We will not worship this image, or any of your other gods.” So much for waffling before the king.

Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego—let’s remember those three names and the courage and conviction they displayed. We will all face situations where their example may just give us the courage to do the right thing. If these three men were alive today, this is what they would say: Do the right thing, no matter how much pressure there may be to do otherwise. Do the right thing, even if you’re the only one courageous enough to do it. Do the right thing, no matter what the earthly consequences may be.