“There are some Jews you have appointed to manage the province of Babylon: Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego. These men have ignored you, the king; they do not serve your gods or worship the gold statue you have set up.” Daniel 3:12 HCSB
ThinkProgress reports : Last week, the militant group known as the Islamic State of Iraq and Greater Syria (ISIS) forced 10,000 Christians (http://english.al-akhbar.com/content/christian-leaders-express-shock-world-silence-after-isis-expels-iraqi-christians) living in the Iraqi city of Mosul to pack up their belongings and flee. ISIS issued a statement last Thursday ordering (http://www.theguardian.com/world/2014/jul/24/iraqi-christians-mosul-isis-convert-islam-or-be-executed) the city’s Christians to convert, pay a hefty religious tax, or face execution on Saturday.
Shadrach, Meshack, and Abednego faced execution if they did not follow the king’s orders and bow down to his gods and worship the golden statue. It is unclear whether the other Jews under Babylonian captivity were bowing down and worshiping pagan gods and the statue king Nebuchadnezzar had erected, but we do know that these three men were singled out and targeted because of their beliefs and actions. They had decided that they would take a stand and only worship the one true God regardless of the consequences.
Challenge: Are you ready to take a stand for God no matter what? When you stand for God and go against the culture of today, you will be criticized. Taking a stand for God may even cause you to face pain and death. Pray that God will give you the strength you need when you face persecution for your beliefs.