A L M A C I A S

DO NOT BE AFRAID OF CONFRONTATIONS

One of the hardest things we must face at one time or another is having to confront someone. Sometimes in the work place, there are those who need to be opposed for some injustice they might be committing; students in public schools and universities may have to confront a teacher or a professor who is teaching something completely contrary to the Word of God. The Bible admonishes us to contend earnestly for the faith that was once delivered unto the saints, and so we are under obligation to take on those confrontations that might come our way. Even though we no longer live under the Old Testament, we can certainly learn a lot of lessons from the principles found therein.

One such example is the incident found in Daniel chapter 3, in which King Nebuchadnezzar made a great image of gold and then gave the specific instructions that whenever the people heard the sound of certain musical instruments they were to fall down and worship the golden image. If anyone failed to abide by the instructions, that person would be put into a fiery furnace. As soon as the people heard the sound of the instruments, they did exactly as the king had instructed ­ that is, all of them except for Daniel¹s three companions. It almost seemed that some of the Chaldeans were anticipating this to happen, for they immediately went to the king and told him about the three Hebrews who had failed to heed his instructions. When Nebuchadnezzar heard what these men had done, he immediately ordered them to be brought before him. When they appeared before the king, he tried to give them a second opportunity to comply; but they told him not to waste his words on them, for they were not going to bow or worship that image under any circumstances, and that God would deliver them. But even if God did not deliver them, they were still determined not to worship the image. These men of God knew that when they made the decision not to fall down before the idol, this would lead them to a very dangerous confrontation; but still they did that which was right to do. How afraid are we to oppose others? Let us be like Daniel¹s three companions who were not afraid of confrontation when they saw the need.