Parents and Kids Daily Devotional "This Is Living"Sample

The story of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego can be found in Daniel chapter 3.

King Nebuchadnezzar made a gigantic gold statue to be worshiped by his people. But, there were three young men who refused to bow down to the statue. They were Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego. They were Jews thrown into exile in Babylon.

When the king heard about their refusal to worship the statue, he became furious. The king gave them a second chance to change their mind. Otherwise, they will be thrown into the fiery furnace.

Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego remained firm with their decision not to bow down to the statue. Consequently, they were thrown into the fiery furnace heated seven times hotter than usual. A miracle happened that made the king jump up in amazement. He saw four men, not three, unbound, walking around in the fire unharmed. Finally, the king called the three young men out of the furnace and praised the God of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego.

We may have never been in such an extreme situation as what Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego went through. But you may have been in situations that caused a dilemma. You had to decide whether or not to follow the ways of the world, which certainly do not please God, or continue doing what was right.

Let's say a friend asks you to sin. Do you follow them or refuse to do it at the risk of losing them as a friend? If you were given the opportunity for a promotion at work but were asked to “let go” of Jesus, what would you do?

Let’s learn from Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego who remained firm in their faith in God. They chose not to worship the statue even though they would lose their lives. God protected and freed them from an ugly fate. What they experienced became a testimony to the people around them, including the king, that the God they worshipped was the true living God.

When we continue to be faithful and do what God wants us to do, rest assured that God will not be silent. He will defend and save us. Our lives will be a blessing and a testimony to those around us. His name shall be glorified!

Devotion for Parents
Have you ever been in a situation where you had to choose between making a compromise with sin or doing what’s right at the risk of losing what you had? What did you do?

Devotion for Kids
Have your friends ever asked you to do something bad? What did you do?

Family Devotion Time
Read again the story of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego together.

Put yourself in their shoes. What would you do?

What did you learn from this story? Share your opinions and discuss any questions that might arise.