Courage

 

I remember hearing Dr. John R. Rice tell the story in a chapel service at Tennessee Temple College of a disgruntled man who threatened his life. The man had been disturbed by Dr. Rice’s preaching and became obsessed with stopping any further rebuke from a pulpit occupied by this well-known evangelist. Entering Dr. Rice’s office, the man produced a revolver and pointed it in the direction of Dr. Rice. After a moment or two, Dr. Rice broke out into laughter and said, “So, you are threatening me with eternity with my Lord!” Surprised by this response, the man surrendered his weapon to Dr. Rice and his heart to God.
 

It has been many years since I’ve faced personal threats against my life, but there were times when threats came. Some seemed real enough to give me pause; however, not all seemed to bear weight of conviction on the part of the accuser. Passion was mostly the driving force behind the anger. As the passion of the moment subsided and opportunity to discuss issues calmly prevailed, normalcy was regained and most relationships were mended. While I would like to report that all relationships were repaired, that is not the case. What I can report is that threats are often real and bring a flood of unfamiliar emotions.
 

Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego faced a real threat. Not only had they defied the king’s specific commands, but they were doing so in the presence of all of the king’s highest officials. When the entire leadership team from around the occupied areas of Babylon bowed and worshiped the golden image, these three stood tall. Interestingly enough is the fact that the ones who tattled on these three Jews were the same ones who had been spared at the request of Daniel on previous occasions.
 

When faced with threats, courage is not necessarily the best answer. Notice how these three responded to a highly irate king who was threatening them with death in a most horrific fashion – being thrown into a blast furnace and being burned alive.
 

They said, “We are not careful to answer thee in this matter.” Essentially, they are saying “We are not unprepared to respond to you.” It seems obvious that they had decided together what they would do when the time came – they would stand for God rather than bow to a pagan king. And, should they live, they would give the glory to God; however, should they die, they would be released from the encumbrance of servitude in an ungodly world.
 

Live or die – they would be winners for having been faithful to their God.
 

So then, the real issue is not necessarily a matter of courage, but of submission – submission to a life completely consumed with faith in God.