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May 15, 2008

THE COURAGE TO STAND

Every leader will at some point have his leadership challenged. At that time he must decide whether it is important enough to take a stand regardless of the cost. Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-Nego faced such a moment and decided to take a stand even at the cost of losing their lives (Daniel 3:16-18). Nebuchadnezzar gave them a simple choice: bow or die. He ordered them to bow to his idol or be reduced to ashes. They chose the furnace. How could they resist such peer pressure and deadly threats? Their courage was a result of their relationship with God.

Frederick the Great was a scoffer, but his great general, Von Zealand, was a Christian. One day at a gathering, the king was making coarse jokes about Jesus Christ and the whole place was ringing with guffaws. Von Zealand arose stiffly and said, "Sire, you know I have not feared death. I have fought and won 38 battles for you. I am an old man; I shall soon have to go into the presence of One Greater than thou, the mighty God who saved me from my sin, the Lord Jesus Christ whom you are blaspheming against. I salute thee, sire, as an old man, who loves his Savior, on the edge of eternity." With trembling voice, Frederick replied: "General Von Zealand, I beg your pardon. I beg your pardon! I beg your pardon!" The company silently dispensed.

The courageous stand of the three Hebrew children was a result of their understanding of who God is and what He can do. They believed in the omnipotence of God. "If it be so, our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the burning fiery furnace, and He will deliver us out of thine hand, O king” (Daniel 3:17). When they were thrown into the furnace, the fire was so hot that it killed the soldiers who followed the king's instructions. The fire had no power to hurt the Hebrew children. They came out of the furnace without the smell of smoke on their bodies. Sometimes God removes us from difficulties and other times He takes us through difficulties.

Another important aspect of this courageous stand was the fact that the Hebrew children accepted the sovereignty of God. He acts on the basis of His own purpose and will. "But if not, be it known unto thee, O king, that we will not serve thy gods, nor worship the golden image which thou hast set up" (Daniel 3:18). We need to make up our minds that if God does not deliver in the way we want Him to, He is the sovereign God and He can work in any way He chooses. Faith commits to God and allows Him to do what is best for us.

John Wesley said, "Give me a hundred men who fear nothing but sin, and desire nothing but God, and I will shake the world. I care not a straw whether they be clergymen or laymen; and such alone will overthrow the kingdom of Satan and build the kingdom of God on earth."