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And who is the god who will deliver you out of my hands?”16 Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego answered and said to the king, “O Nebuchadnezzar, we have no need to answer you in this matter. 17 If this be so, our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the burning fiery furnace, and he will deliver us out of your hand, O king. 18 But if not, be it known to you, O king, that we will not serve your gods or worship the golden image that you have set up.” - Daniel 3:15c-18

Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego had been commanded to worship an idol and when they refused, the enraged Babylonian King Nebuchadnezzar gave them an ultimatum to bow down to the image or be thrown into a fiery furnace. Facing death, the young exiles confidently chose to trust and obey the God who delivers. Just like these young exiles, you will be persecuted. Jesus promised his disciples they would be persecuted:

24 “A disciple is not above his teacher, nor a servant above his master. 25 It is enough for the disciple to be like his teacher, and the servant like his master. If they have called the master of the house Beelzebul, how much more will they malign those of his household. - Matthew 10:24-25

Church history and your own experience shows His promise extends to the present day. Thankfully, we are not facing a fiery furnace, but you can likely think of other subtle forms of persecution you have or are suffering for the sake of Christ. You should never be surprised by this. You will be expected to give an answer concerning the God you serve as part of persecution. Nebuchadnezer mocked God by questioning His ability to deliver the men. Again, Christ promises His disciples that they will be questioned by the authorities that persecute them:

18 and you will be dragged before governors and kings for my sake, to bear witness before them and the Gentiles - Matthew 10:18

When you’re persecuted, expect to be asked about the God you serve. Rejoice, because this questioning will result in Christ being proclaimed. Be confident, because God will answer for you. The young men didn’t need to provide an answer to the king’s question. God would do the talking. Jesus speaks to this as well telling His disciples:

19 When they deliver you over, do not be anxious how you are to speak or what you are to say, for what you are to say will be given to you in that hour. 20 For it is not you who speak, but the Spirit of your Father speaking through you. - Matthew 10:19-20

You can be confident that God will answer your persecutors through you by the power of the Spirit. Remember, God is able to deliver. The men recognize the ability of God to deliver them (He actually would in miraculous fashion!). Jesus gave Himself up to persecution knowing He could easily be physically delivered:

53 Do you think that I cannot appeal to my Father, and he will at once send me more than twelve legions of angels? - Matthew 26:53

Nothing is impossible for God. He can deliver you from your persecution. He can move your tormentor at work to a new position, He can change the heart of your child or parent, He can provide a new home far away from an evil neighbor………..

But if not, know that God delivers even when He doesn’t appear to. While certain of God’s ability to deliver them physically from the furnace, Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego appeared to know God’s deliverance extended beyond the physical world. Maybe it’s God’s will for you to be persecuted continually or even unto death. But, you have been and will be delivered none the less. Your Savior says:

28 And do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Rather fear him who can destroy both soul and body in hell. - Matthew 10:28

The penalty for sin is death, but Your soul has been delivered from death through faith in Christ who is Your mediator and acknowledges you before the Father:

29 Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? And not one of them will fall to the ground apart from your Father. 30 But even the hairs of your head are all numbered. 31 Fear not, therefore; you are of more value than many sparrows. 32 So everyone who acknowledges me before men, I also will acknowledge before my Father who is in heaven, 33 but whoever denies me before men, I also will deny before my Father who is in heaven. - Matthew 10:29-33

You will be persecuted and expected to give an answer, but God will answer for you and deliver you even when it doesn’t appear like it. Therefore, Trust and obey the God who delivers. Refuse to abandon hope or disobey God. The young men wouldn’t bow down to a false God or lose hope in the face of death. Christ did the will of the Father and endured the cross. Though persecuted, continue to trust and obey the God who delivers!

Pastor Rich