Have you ever found yourself in a fire you didn’t create? You were minding your own business, trying to be helpful. The next thing you knew is that there was a fire of accusations. You told the truth, but no one cared. They formed opinions and rendered you guilty. You wondered if anyone cared about truth anymore. Will truth outlast the fire?
The Story: Daniel 3
In Daniel 3, King Nebuchadnezzar erected a large golden image and declared that when music played everyone was to bow before the image. For anyone not bowing to the image, they would be thrown into the fiery furnace. Some of the people decided to tell the king that the Jews weren’t worshipping the image. As a result, the king ordered Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-nego to come before him.
Upon the arrival of the men, the king inquired about the truth of the accusation. He didn’t wait for their response, but reiterated the expectation and punishment. He also asked what god would deliver them from the furnace. Without hesitation, the men boldly declared that they didn’t need to answer his question. They confidently proclaimed that their God is able to rescue them from the furnace. Regardless of what God does, they will not worship the golden image.
As a result of their defiance and the king’s anger, the king ordered his armed guards to turn the heat in seven times hotter in the furnace. The guards, who tied up the three men, died when they opened the door. Although the three men were in the furnace, they were unharmed. In addition, the king looked inside the furnace and saw four people untied, walking around. At this sight, the king had the men removed from the furnace, acknowledged their God, and prospered them.
The Lesson
Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-nego teach us that truth outlasts the fire. Truth is what stands in the midst of accusations. Confident truth stabilizes us when presented with the furnace. As a result, unwavering truth brings company and enables us to survive the fire.
So how does truth outlast the fire?
- Face the accusation. Truth can’t speak if the story is unknown. If we run from the trouble, truth won’t see the light of day.
- Know the truth. Truth is the facts and beliefs that form our foundation. From the place of truth, we stand.
- Declare the truth. Regardless of the who you’re facing, speak truth.
- Wait for the manifestation of truth. Unfortunately, truth takes time to reveal itself. Allow truth to hold you up.
- Reap the rewards of truth. Supportive people stand with truth. Peace comes with truth. Also, elevation stems from truth.
The embers of the fire will die down, but truth will remain. Therefore, truth outlasts the fire.
