We live in a society where we don’t think twice when it comes to making small compromises. We justify compromise with sayings like; “I’m only human” or “I couldn’t help myself.”
But do we ever stop and think what it says about us and our character when we do compromise – even when it comes down to small, sometimes insignificant, things?
Recently I read the story of three Hebrew boys who were threatened to be burned alive if they did not compromise on their beliefs and worship the Babylonian king. Listen to their answer as it’s recorded in Dan 3:16-18 (HCSB); 16:
Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego replied to the king, “Nebuchadnezzar, we don’t need to give you an answer to this question. 17. If the God we serve exists, then He can rescue us from the furnace of blazing fire, and He can rescue us from the power of you, the king. 18. But even if He does not rescue us, we want you as king to know that we will not serve your gods or worship the gold statue you set up.”
“Even if He does not rescue us…” What a statement. No matter what, even if it meant losing their lives. Even if God would not intervene. These young Hebrew boys would not compromise. And because of their attitude they have become the main figures in a story that have been told for centuries. Fathers would point out that they were young men with character. They were young men that stood their ground without compromise.
Growing up, listening to this story and later on reading and studying the story and history behind it myself, I remember thinking that I’d like to be like one of them. Their legacy wanted me to become someone with an attitude of no compromise.
And so I leave you with a this, what legacy will you leave behind one day, what will people say about your character, are you someone who easily make a compromise just because it’s comfortable to do so?
Or will you stand your ground and refuse to compromise even if God does not intervene?
Pastor JJ Botha
Full Gospel Church
