In the workplace and in the world we are not pretending to be something that we are not. What we are is what makes us stand out, bear fruit, bring increase and display who God really is.
In the third chapter of Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael and Azariah (also known as Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego) run into some conflict at the workplace. King Nebuchadnezzar had gathered his government officials to dedicate his 90’ tall golden image he had made. When everyone gathered a harold called out and declared,
“Nations and peoples of every language, this is what you are commanded to do: As soon as you hear the sound of the horn, flute, zither, lyre, harp, pipe and all kinds of music, you must fall down and worship the image of gold that King Nebuchadnezzar has set up. Whoever does not fall down and worship will immediately be thrown into a blazing furnace.”
What started out as a nice company picnic in the park to dedicate a new statue just got weird. As soon as the music was played everyone fell down and worshiped the image, everyone but Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego that is. It becomes hard to blend in with the crowd, when everyone lays down on the ground and these guys are the only ones standing up. It gets reported to the king that these men did not worship the image and the king summons them to him.
The king speaks to Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego to find out if this is true and to offer them a second chance to worship the image. The king also reminds them of the consequences of not worshiping the image, “But if you do not worship it, you will be thrown immediately into a blazing furnace. Then what god will be able to rescue you from my hand?”
This is their response,
“Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego replied to him, “King Nebuchadnezzar, we do not need to defend ourselves before you in this matter. If we are thrown into the blazing furnace, the God we serve is able to deliver us from it, and he will deliver us from Your Majesty’s hand. But even if he does not, we want you to know, Your Majesty, that we will not serve your gods or worship the image of gold you have set up.”
The king becomes furious, orders the furness to be heated seven times hotter and has these three men thrown into it. And then bam, the kingdom of heaven is displayed for all to see. In the furnace not only are Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego not being burned but there is another man who looks like “a son of the gods” with them.
The king calls out to them to come out of the fire and to their total amazement there is no visible sign of the fire on them. Nothing singed or chard, they don’t even smell like smoke. The kings conclusion to all of this is very interesting,
“Then Nebuchadnezzar said, “Praise be to the God of Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego, who has sent his angel and rescued his servants! They trusted in him and defied the king’s command and were willing to give up their lives rather than serve or worship any god except their own God. Therefore I decree that the people of any nation or language who say anything against the God of Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego be cut into pieces and their houses be turned into piles of rubble, for no other god can save in this way.”
Then the king promoted Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego in the province of Babylon.”
Nebuchadnezzar praises the God of Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego and threatens death to anyone who speaks against him.
Paul says it like this in Romans 10:14-15
“How, then, can they call on the one they have not believed in? And how can they believe in the one of whom they have not heard? And how can they hear without someone preaching to them? And how can anyone preach unless they are sent? As it is written: “How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news!”
This display of the kingdom of heaven prompted by the faith of these three men, proved that God is real. These encounters with God in the workplace create transformation.