God's All-Stars - Week Three: Shadrach, Meshach & Abednego
I love football season! Each week players give outstanding performances on the field. Join me as I reveal guys in the Bible that would make God's All-Star team:
Week Three All-Stars: Shadrach, Meshach & Abednego
Vital Statistics: (see Daniel, Chapter 1)
Jewish slaves ‘drafted’ by Nebuchadnezzar, Owner (King) of the Babylonian Idolizers: Taken from their families as young men (sons of Israeli Royalty), Sent to a 3-year Babylonian training camp, Trained to play for their egotistical owner – used by God to win Idolizer fans over to His Team
Physical Description:
Gifted Athletes, Good-Looking, Exceptional God-given Intelligence (See Daniel 1:4; 17-20)
Nicknames: “The Triplets”
•Babylonian Team Name Shadrach: “under the command of Aku” (the moon god), Hebrew Team Name Hananiah: “the Lord shows grace”
•Babylonian Team Name Meshach: “who is like Aku?”, Hebrew Team Name Mishael: “who is like God?”
•Babylonian Team Name Abednego: “servant of Nego/Nebo”, Hebrew Team Name Azariah: “the Lord helps”
Strengths:
Courage (guts!), Supernatural Wisdom & Knowledge, Prayer
Weaknesses:
None Listed (although we know they had them – they were human!)
Famous Quotes:
“If we are thrown into the blazing furnace, the God we serve is able to save us… 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.” Daniel 3:17&18
Greatest All-Star Performances:
• Along with Daniel, refused to compromise their godly dietary training regimen (Daniel 1:8-16)
• Along with Daniel, prayed all night for God to reveal winning game plan (Daniel 1:17-23)
• Named MVP’s, promoted to Team Leaders & Captains (Daniel 1:19-20, 2:49, & 3:30)
• Stood alone on the field when everyone else bowed down to the opposition (Daniel 3:18)
• Even when ‘Fired’ by their owner, stood up for what they believed (Daniel 3:19-29)
Summary
The Triplets were taken from the team they loved and forced to play for their most-hated rival by the team’s egotistical owner. Many people think Jerry Jones (owner of the Dallas Cowboys) has a big ego. Nebuchadnezzar ordered a solid-gold statue ninety feet high and nine feet wide (probably resembling him), had it wheeled out to the 50-yard line at half-time, and told all his ‘fans’ when they heard the band play they had to bow down and worship it. Those who didn’t like the half-time entertainment would be burned alive! Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego, First Team All-Pro’s for the home team, stunned the crowd by refusing to bow. But God Himself stood with them when the heat was on and following the Triplet's dramatic comeback, Nebuchadnezzar announced over the stadium’s public address system, “No other god can save His people like this.” –Daniel 3:30 ERV
All-Star Impact
What idols are you being pressured to bow down to?
What or who are you afraid of that keeps you from standing up for what you know is right?
Let’s wrap it up with the closing words of Chapter 5 in my book Circle of Swords:
Here’s a great quote from Jon Acuff, “When I become brave, I’ll let you know. Until then, I’m just going to do a lot of awesome things scared out of my mind.” There’s a real enemy waging war just outside your front door. The innocent suffer, lost people are dying, a broken world is waiting…and God is searching for a man. Will you step forward? Will you put your sword in the circle? Take a bold step in God’s direction and He will put His braveheart in you. And together, you and God will do something courageous in the world.
God wants to make a spiritual all-star out of YOU! “You were…created to be like God, truly righteous and holy.” Ephesians 4:24 (GWT)
