FAITHFUL FRIENDS - Part 5a

BELIEVING FRIENDS - SHADRACH, MESHACH, AND ABEDNEGO

For the past several weeks we have taken a Biblical journey through a series called "FAITHFUL FRIENDS." We've given a rather detailed study about Unlikely Friends, Bonded Friends, Mentoring Friends, Disagreeing Friends, and NOW our focus is on Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego who were Believing Friends. You find their story recorded by the Prophet Daniel (3:1-30). Granted these men had names we may find hard to pronounce. As a youngster, my father taught me a way to more easily prounce them. He said, "just say Shake The Bed, Make The Bed, and In To Bed You Go." Well, not quite accurate, but it helped!

Now, the phrase "Believing Friends" is not talking about trusting ALL those who ARE your friends! When I use the term "Believing" I'm talking about Christian friendships - those friends who are devoted, faithful followers of Jesus and have a strong and definite desire to be nurturing, bless-

ing, and helping me to grow spiritually. We share the same belief that Jesus is the Son of God, the Savior and Redeemer. We have both placed our personal trust in Him for salvation and eternal life! That is my definition of a Believing Friend!

Because the Nation of Israel had been repeatedly unfaithful to God, He had allowed the King of Babylon (Nebuchadnezzar) to invade Jerusalem. He destroyed the city and took the Hebrews to Babylon as captives. A number of their most intelligent and promising young men were selected for special training to serve the Babylonian King and his kingdom. Daniel along with Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego were four of these hand-picked young men. Eventually, all four of them were chosen and appointed to be government administrators over the Province of Babylon, a high honor for captive foreigners!

In this account, I see a minimum of four spiritual insights to be gained about Christian Friendships! We will consider them (1 this week and the other 3 next week), but first let me make a positive statement. Here it is! Every believer in Jesus NEEDS Christian friends in this hostile, ungodly, worldly and anti-Christian culture we live in! We NEED to have other followers of Jesus closely around us to offset the subtle schemes of the devil, for the purpose of mutual spiritual nurture, encouragement, equipping and practicing wholesome accountability for spiritual growth and maturity.

Take a lesson from charcoal barbequing! (Hopefully you have either done or observed that kind of barbequing in this age of the easy gas barbeque). You must place briquets in a pile together before lighting them. Then as they heat up you must still keep these charcoals close together for the heat to continue to radiate and become hot enough to cook a steak. But, if you separate the charcoals so they are not close together, but are isolated and removed from touching the other briquets very soon the heat dissipates. The charcoals grow cold and become completely ineffective and even a jellybean cannot be melted on the grill. So, it is with us in this very godless environment we contend with. Separate yourself from other believers, you are in danger of growing cold in your faith. SEEK TO MAKE CHRISTIAN FRIENDS! Back now to the insights we gather from these three young Hebrew friends.

First, BELIEVING FRIENDS ARE COMMITTED TO COMMON CONVICTIONS! - Daniel 3:1-12 Every-thing had been going well for the three friends, until King Nebuchadnezzar, out of personal pride and arrogance, had a statue of gold made in his image and placed in public. And, it did not end there. The King then issued a stern and ruthless decree that EVERYONE in his kingdom had to bow down and worship the golden image whenever the musical instruments were played. Anyone who did not take a bow would be thrown into a blazing furnace. What would the three Hebrew young men do? They were all committed to obeying the second of the Ten Commandments that had been issued by God. . . "You shall have no other gods before Me" (Exodus 20:3), and "you shall not worship them or serve them" (vs 5). Shadrach, Meshaach and Abednego in total unity refused to bow in worship to the image. They were noticed and accused to the king by certain of the Chaldeans as follows, "There are certain Jews whom you have appointed over the administration. . . these men, O King, have disregarded you; they do not serve your gods or worship the golden image which you have set up" (Daniel 3:12). The three friends STOOD firm and steadfast in spite of the known consequences of disregarding the king's decree. It is significant that there were THREE Hebrew friends! In Scripture we read, "Though one may be overpowered, two can defend themselves. A cord of THREE strands is not quickly broken" (Ecclesiastes 4:12).

Three united, committed friends form a formidable force! While it is possible to stand alone, it is powerful to stand up for the Lord when you have committed friends who live for Jesus on each side of you! And believe this truth, Christians need to challenge the world's values and ungodly practices of this culture and encourage other followers of Christ to do the same! Again, the Bible says, "If God is for us, who can stand against us?" (Romans 8:31). And again, "Do not fear what man can do . . ." (Psalm 118:6). When God and His Word is on our side and in our lives, human threats are totally meaningless, insignificant and powerless. Our trust in divine protection over human power truly encourages fearlessness against mortal and earthly consequenses! It's in this trust that we have security and confidence!

Second, BELIEVING FRIENDS CONFRONT OPPOSITION TOGETHER!

TO BE CONTINUED - PLEASE JOIN ME NEXT WEEK FOR THE CONCLUSION TO THIS BLOG - PART 5b