Integrity: Paying the Ultimate Price (25/11/2019)
By Pastor Aggrey Soyekwo
Daniel 3.16-18 “Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego replied to the king, “O Nebuchadnezzar, we do not need to defend ourselves before you in this matter. If we are thrown into the blazing furnace, the God we serve is able to save us from it, and he will rescue us from your hand, O king. But even if he does not, we want you to know, O king, that we will not serve your gods or worship the image of gold you have set up.”
A very powerful king, Nebuchadnezzar, of a powerful kingdom, Babylon, had set up a huge image of gold and required everyone in his kingdom, regardless of status, to worship it. This was a decree, failure of which, the punishment was being burnt in a furnace. The officials and all the kings subjects worshipped, whether they liked it or not. But to the three Hebrew men, this order contravened their worship of God alone and no other. It was against their cherished beliefs and values. Their response was a flat NO.
On learning about these men who defied the absolute monarch in the king, Nebuchadnezzar summoned and gave them another chance, and he got the answer in our opening scripture. Their values and underlying principles in worship and service of God alone were so solid to them there was even no room to reconsider the kings command, however powerful he was. They were willing pay the ultimate price with their lives to stand for their God. Whether God rescued them from the king’s fury and a furnace fire heated seven times more than usual, wasn’t the issue anymore. They chose to remain true to their convictions whatever the outcome.
Many compromise their values, and sale their birth rights for fear of threatened outcomes, lose of opportuities, things or even life. May God help us to stand for Him, in integrity of heart, regardless of outcomes. May you be so convinced of what you stand for in God that nothing will shake it off you. With such, God will find a channel to manifest His glory as He did through the three Hebrew men when king Nebuchadnezzar decreed the worship of their God. And God will surely rise up to defend them for His name’s sake.
Psalms 15:1,4 “LORD, who may dwell in your sanctuary? Who may live on your holy hill?… he who keeps his oath even when it hurts”
Revelation 2:10 “Do not be afraid of what you are about to suffer… Be faithful, even to the point of death, and I will give you the crown of life.”
Shalom children of God