Unwavering Commitment

"Who am I"? Devotion Series

Have you ever been forced to examine who you are as a Christian? Ever had opposition or temptation that tried to move you from what you knew was true? What did you do? Did you waver? Or did you stand firm?

When I need encouragement to stand firm, I often go to Daniel and his three friends, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah (Daniel 1). They were sons of Israel who’d been taken captive with the rest of Judah and carted off to Babylon. God had allowed Babylon’s king, Nebuchadnezzar, to conquer Jerusalem after His people repeatedly sinned and refused to repent. God would not be mocked. Judgment came. But even in that dark time, these four youths stood out as bright lights.

King Nebuchadnezzar had ordered that the best and the brightest of the Jewish youths be brought into the king’s court, and Daniel and his three friends were among them. They were to be educated for three years in Babylonian language and literature. They were to partake of the king’s choice food and wine. And they were given new names—Daniel’s was Belteshazzar, and you might recognize the names given to the other three: Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego (Daniel 1:3-7).

When Daniel heard what they were required to eat and drink, he resolved that he wouldn’t do it. That kingly diet ran counter to God’s laws for the Jews, and he wanted to stay true to his identity. They could change his name, but they couldn’t change his heart.

Daniel asked permission to forego the king’s food and drink, but the commander was afraid. If Daniel started looking sickly as a result, the king would have the commander’s head! Daniel had a proposal. The commander could test him and his three friends for ten days on a diet of vegetables and water. God had granted Daniel favor with the commander, so he agreed. At the end of ten days, they were looking healthier than the youths who were eating the king’s choice food!

But God did exceedingly more than that. He gave those four youths such knowledge, intelligence, and wisdom that at the end of the three years, the king found them ten times better than all the so-called wise men in his realm (Daniel 1:17-20).

But God did exceedingly more than that.

Nebuchadnezzar decided to make a giant image of gold and required all in his service to come to the dedication of the image. When they heard the music, they were to fall down and worship the image (Daniel 3). Whoever didn’t worship would be thrown into a blazing furnace. Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego were at the dedication, but they knew who they were. They were worshipers of the true and living God, and they would worship no one else. When everyone else fell down and worshiped the image, they remained standing.

Nebuchadnezzar threatened them personally, but they still refused. They knew their God would deliver them, and even if He didn’t, they wouldn’t worship another god (Daniel 3:17-18). Angered, the king threw them into the furnace and turned the heat way up. I’ll bet you know what God did—sent His angel right into the fire with them. They didn’t get burned, and they didn’t even smell like smoke!

Years later under another king, Daniel had a similar test when he was required by law to pray only to the king. Undeterred, he prayed to his God and was thrown into the lions’ den. You got it—God brought him out unharmed (Daniel 6).

Daniel, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego knew who they were and stood firm in who they were, even in the face of opposition…even at the risk of losing their lives. Are you that committed to who you are? Are you that committed to Jesus? Be assured that unwavering commitment yields divine blessing.

Heavenly Father, give me the boldness of Your Holy Spirit to stand firm when opposition comes. May I know who I am and not turn aside to the left or the right, even if I have to stand alone. But I know I won’t be standing alone, for You are with me. Thank You for blessing me as I walk with unwavering commitment to You. In Jesus’ name, Amen.