Having Nonconformist Friends

Lesson 3

Source: Daniel 3, Proverbs 13:20

Being a nonconformist is difficult, so having companions on the journey is helpful. I know what you’re thinking! If you have a group that are nonconforming, aren’t they just conforming to another standard?

You are right. The point isn’t to be a nonconformist just to go against the flow. The point is to choose not to conform to the pattern of this world (Romans 12:2) and to conform to the pattern of Christ (Philippians 2:5).

If you are a Christian, it is important that you know that Jesus didn’t save you to isolation but to community. It is so vital that we surround ourselves with godly people who are pursuing Christ the way we are.

It has been said, “Show me your friends and I’ll show you your future.” Proverbs 13:20 says it like this, “Whoever walks with the wise becomes wise, but the companion of fools will suffer harm.” The point is, those who you hang around with will shape the person you are becoming.

We’ve been looking at Daniel in this series, but this week we are going to look at his friends. What kind of men did Daniel choose to hang out with?  

In chapter 1 we learn they were taken into captivity with Daniel and joined him in his decision to honor God over the king. In chapter two we see the are willing to pray with their friend Daniel. But in chapter 3 Daniel is not in the story line, maybe he is away on official business. But Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego are the primary characters.

The Setting

King Nebuchadnezzar is up to his own ways. Last week we saw that he was humbled by Daniel’s interpretation of the dream and gave glory to God. However, giving praise to God does not mean salvation. Remember, Nebuchadnezzar was a pagan king in a polytheistic (belief in many gods) culture.

Neb’s reaction to the dream was to build a 90-foot statue made of gold. Maybe the dream inspired him and he sought to defy the interpretation by making the whole statue out of gold instead of the other materials in the dream. Whatever his reasoning, it wasn’t uncommon for kings in the Ancient Near East to build statues of themselves or their gods.

90-foot is big! It’s like a 9-story building. It was set off on a plain outside of the city of Babylon. At the unveiling of the statue, the king wanted everyone to bow down and worship his gods at the sound of the music. Anyone not bowing would be thrown into a fiery furnace.

When the music sounded, everyone bowed in worship except Daniel’s three friends. Now these guys were high profile dudes because they members of the king’s wise men club. There were members of that club that were jealous of Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego, so they were reported to the king.

The Dilemma

The king’s command to bow down and worship the statue was direct violation of God’s command. There was no way to obey the king and obey God at the same time. The 3 friends chose to honor God first and disobeyed the king.

Now this is a good pattern for us to follow. God commands us to obey the authorities placed over us as a way to submit ourselves to God. However, there are times when human authorities make commands, rules or laws that violate God’s law. In these case, will we follow the example of Daniel’s friends?

Neb was furious at them. Surely, they were confused. So, he was going to give them another opportunity, but their response was surprising.

Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego answered and said to the king, “O Nebuchadnezzar, we have no need to answer you in this matter. If this be so, our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the burning fiery furnace, and he will deliver us out of your hand, O king. But if not, be it known to you, O king, that we will not serve your gods or worship the golden image that you have set up.” Daniel 3:16-18

Let’s consider that response for a moment. Their Nonconformist action was based on their belief that God was sovereign over all things and was to be honored first. God is powerful enough to deliver them. And, even if God doesn’t deliver them, they will honor God above the king. Wow! That’s some awesome faith!

The King’s Response

The king wasn’t impressed with their response. He didn’t accept their reasoning. No, his authority was challenged and he had temper tantrum and ordered the furnace to be heated seven times hotter. Most likely this was an expression to turn the temperature up as hot as it would go.

They bound the 3 men and the strongest soldiers were ordered to throw them in. The furnace was so hot that as the soldier threw them in, they themselves perished in the fire.

And that’s how the story ends.

Just kidding.

Something amazing happened, something hard to explain or even capture in words. The king asked the steward, “hey how many guys did we throw in?” The steward assured the king, “it was only 3.”

“Hmmm, then why do I see a fourth one? And He looks like He is a son of the gods!” the king stated.

So, what exactly is happening here?

Promise Fulfilled

Consider these two promises that Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego may have known about:

“When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and through the rivers, they shall not overwhelm you; when you walk through fire you shall not be burned, and the flame shall not consume you.” Isaiah 43:2

“Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.” Joshua 1:9

There are dozens of more examples in Scripture about God promising to be WITH His people through anything His people encountered.

Trials are the crucible of the promises of God. Going through a trial or suffering gives you the opportunity to display faith in God and see His presence and power in a clearer way.

Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego had an opportunity to have a fire side chat with the pre-incarnate Jesus Christ, that means, Jesus before He came as a baby.

Could you imagine being tossed into a fiery furnace, only to land softly and not be consumed and to be greeted by the Son of God? Not only did they not die, they didn’t get burned, their clothes didn’t burn and they didn’t even have the smell of smoke on them.

Delivered from the Flames

Nebuchadnezzar called them out of the furnace. He then praised their God in amazement. Now again, Neb was a pagan who was used to worshiping many gods. His statements here were not a conversion, but an acknowledgement that the God of Israel was the highest of all gods.

He then issued a new law that no one should speak against the God of Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego! And he promoted the 3 men in his courts.

Could you imagine the conversation that Daniel had with them when he returned?

“Hey guys, what happened while I was gone?”

“Not much, bro. Just hanging out with Jesus in the hottest spot in town!”

 Choose Your Friends Wisely

Daniel had three solid friends. They trusted in God even to the extent to risk their lives to demonstrate their faith.

How do your friends stack up to this? What qualities of Christ do your friends display? Are there friends in your life you need to remove from your group? Are you a friend that helps others see God more clearly?

If you want to live a nonconformist life, you have got to be willing to make the tough choices, but you don’t have to do it alone. Gather friends who will help you focus on Jesus and encourage you to make good choices.