Articles
Is It of Purpose?
What is one thing that you do in life “on purpose” that requires attention, focus, and commitment in the face of adversity and rejection (maybe even death)?
You may be familiar with three men who were asked that very question: “Do you do this of purpose?”
Life is comprised of making choices and decisions. The choices we make in life are our own. We can either make the decisions to act based upon knowledge obtained, or act blindly because “it sound like a good idea at the time.”
Within our consideration, “Is it of purpose,” Daniel had three friends, i.e., Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah. These three men acted upon a pre-determined conviction.
When Nebuchadnezzar had set up his image of gold his subjects were commanded, saying, “fall down and worship the golden image that Nebuchadnezzar the king hath set up; and whoso falleth not down and worshippeth shall the same hour be cast into the midst of a burning fiery furnace” (Daniel 3:5-6).
“Wherefore at that time certain Chaldeans came near, and brought accusation against the Jews …There are certain Jews whom thou hast appointed over the affairs of the province of Babylon: Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-nego; these men, O king, have not regarded thee: they serve not thy gods, nor worship the golden image which thou hast set up. Then Nebuchadnezzar in his rage and fury commanded to bring Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-nego. Then they brought these men before the king. Nebuchadnezzar answered and said unto them, Is it of purpose, O Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-nego, that ye serve not my god, nor worship the golden image which I have set up?” (Dan. 3:8, 12-14).
These men had no need of deliberation. These men had no need to reconsider. These men had no need to consider the consequences of their actions. These men confidently affirmed, “we have no need to answer thee in this matter. If it be so, our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the burning fiery furnace; and he will deliver us out of thy hand, O king. But if not, be it known unto thee, O king, that we will not serve thy gods, nor worship the golden image which thou hast set up” (Dan. 3:16-18). Ultimately, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-nego were “cast…into the burning fiery furnace” and “the fire had no power upon their bodies, nor was the hair of their head singed, neither were their hosen changed, nor had the smell of fire passed on them” (Dan. 3:27).
The apostle Paul commanded the brethren in Ephesus, saying, “Wherefore take up the whole armor of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and, having done all, to stand. Stand therefore, having girded your loins with truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness” (Eph. 6:13-14).
The day may come when we, in like manner, must answer the question “Is it of purpose, (insert your name), that ye serve not my god, nor worship the golden image which I have set up?” (Dan. 3:14).
- Is_It_of_Purpose.pdf (66.20 kB)
