Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego answered and said to the king, “O Nebuchadnezzar, we have no need to answer you in this matter.” (Daniel 3:16 ESV)
Debate
These three young men were commanded to disobey God. It was not complicated. God says worship only HIM, the One True, Living God. And the king tried to get them to worship him, the king.
We might expect these men to argue passionately. And there are times that would be appropriate. But here, perhaps knowing that only the Spirit persuades, they did not argue.
We might expect these men to throw a staff like Aaron before Pharaoh. And there are times that would be appropriate. But here, perhaps trusting that God had a different plan, they did not argue.
We might expect these men to call on God’s power to strike down the blaspheming king. And there are times that would be appropriate. But here, perhaps realizing that they were first called simply to obey God, they did not argue.
I am wondering, today, about the times that I debate, and shout, and rage… thinking that God needs me to defend Him. I am wondering, today, about the times that I outsmart the enemies, outmaneuver the enemies, outfox the enemies… thinking that God would be glad I was on His team. I am wondering, today, about the times I think God loses if I am not loud enough… thinking that God’s presence and power are best shown through my mouth.
Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego chose not to do those things.
But they obeyed what they knew God’s Word taught. Right there in the first commandment.
This is not a complicated command from God. No gray areas are discernible.
And so nothing needed to be said.
Only something simple, but dangerous, to do.
They did not debate… but God won anyway.
God wins today, too.