When the world says ‘blend in,’ God says ‘stand out.’ In our culture that looks to everything but God for happiness and fulfillment, the question is, will you stand for Jesus? Our world needs YOU– it needs you to stand tall!
Notes 📓✏️:
Then the king ordered Ashpenaz, chief of his court officials, to bring into the king’s service some of the Israelites… He was to teach them the language and literature of the Babylonians. The king assigned them a daily amount of food and wine from the king’s table. They were to be trained for three years, and after that they were to enter the king’s service.”
Daniel 1:3-5 (NIV)
The Message version of the Bible says that the Babylonians “Indoctrinated” (BRAINWASHED) the Israelite teenagers.
“[Because of sin] creation was subjected to frustration and futility…”
Romans 8:20 (AMP)
“The chief official gave them new names: to Daniel, the name Belteshazzar; to Hananiah, Shadrach; to Mishael, Meshach; and to Azariah, Abednego.”
Daniel 1:7 (NIV)
The new names were meant to cause confusion and remove their original identity.
(Original Name) Daniel = “God is my judge”
(New Name) Balteshazzar = “Lady, protect the King”
(Original Name) Hananiah = “God is gracious”
(New Name) Shadrach = “I am very fearful [of God]”
If God is for you, who can be against you!?
(Original Name) Mishael = “Who is what God is?”
(New Name) Meshach = “I am of little account.”
You are infinitely valuable to God!
You are…
“Fearfully and wonderfully made” (Psalm 139:14)
“God’s masterpiece” (Ephesians 2:10)
“A child and heir of God” (Romans 8:17, John 1:12)
“Chosen”(1 Peter 2:9, Isaiah 43:4)
“Nothing can separate you from His love” (Romans 8:38-39)
(Original Name) Azariah = “God is a helper”
(New Name) Abednego = “Servant of Nebo [Babylonian god]”
They decided to stand tall in a culture that was bowing to lies.
Will they stand for God or bow to what everyone else in culture was worshipping?
Everyone worships something.
“But there are some Jews – Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego… They pay no attention to you, Your Majesty. They refuse to serve your gods and do not worship the gold statue you have set up.”
Daniel 3:12 (NLT)
“[King] Nebuchadnezzar was so furious with Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego that his face became distorted with rage. [The King] commanded that the furnace be heated seven times hotter than usual. Then he ordered some of the strongest men of his army to bind Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego and throw them into the blazing furnace. So they tied them up and threw them into the furnace, fully dressed in their pants, turbans, robes, and other garments. And because the king, in his anger, had demanded such a hot fire in the furnace, the flames killed the soldiers as they threw the three men in. So Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, securely tied, fell into the roaring flames.”
Daniel 3:19-23 (NLT)
“Look!” Nebuchadnezzar shouted. “I see four men, unbound, walking around in the fire unharmed! And the fourth looks like a god!”
Daniel 3:25-27 (NLT)
Then Nebuchadnezzar came as close as he could to the door of the flaming furnace and shouted: “Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, servants of the Most High God, come out! Come here!”
So Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego stepped out of the fire. Then the high officers, officials, governors, and advisers crowded around them and saw that the fire had not touched them. Not a hair on their heads was singed, and their clothing was not scorched. They didn’t even smell of smoke!”
When You Stand Up, God Stands With You.
Courage Looks Strange in a Culture of Compromise.
When You Refuse to Bow, God Refuses to Let You Fall.
“Then Nebuchadnezzar said, “Praise to the God of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego… They defied the king’s command and were willing to die rather than serve or worship any god except their own God… There is no other god who can rescue like this!”
Daniel 3:28-29 (NLT)
Standing out isn’t a weakness; It’s a witness.
When the World Says Blend In, God Says Stand Out.
It needs you to stand tall.