Three Hebrew Children 

Dan 3.1-30 

This is more than just another children's Bible story...this is a blueprint for understanding what it means to have faith in a sovereign God.

One could read this story and find understanding about the role of jealousy, racism, egocentricity, ambition, territorialism, religions in conflict, and personal faith during the time of the Babylonians - about 600 years before Christ. It would be very easy, then, to make the transference of all those factors in our present world situation.

Because of the close parallels, I find this story very poignant. Three outstanding, ambitious, accomplished and achieving young men in a world with values, religions and ambitions in conflict, are determined to keep their own course.

16. "O Nebuchadnezzar, we do not need to defend ourselves before you in this matter. 
17. If we are thrown into the blazing furnace, the God we serve is able to save us from it, and he will rescue us from your hand, O king. 
18. But even if he does not, we want you to know, O king, that we will not serve your gods or worship the image of gold you have set up." 

We, too, are faced daily with a world in which values, religions and ambitions are in conflict - maybe even within your own workplace. The lessons I see for me in this are:

• take ownership of my values and beliefs without apology

• understand the power of God to protect and deliver

• be willing to accept the outcome even if God doesn't come through in the way we hope

and, keep your cool in the face of great heat and opposition!