Gracious resolve, even under penalty of death

One of my favorite Biblical stories of a real time, place and people is the story of Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego.

Together, these three stood against the world's first major super power, King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon.

Their firm but gracious resolve took one step to changing the course of a nation.

King Nebuchadnezzar had a 99-foot-tall and 9-foot-wide image of gold constructed.

He issued an edict that all the people in the land of Babylon, regardless of their language or nation of origin, were to bow and worship this image whenever music was played.

No matter where they were or what they were doing, they were to drop everything and give tribute to this image.

They were, in turn, giving their hearts, thoughts and allegiance to the king.

Anyone who did not comply with this law would perish horrendously by being burned alive in a furnace.

These three Jewish men -- Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego -- with a gracious but firm resolve -- determined in their hearts and actions that they could not and would not do this, no matter the costs.

Face to face with the king, they said, "We cannot do what you have asked. We do not want what will happen to us to happen. God can save us, but if he does not, we still will not do what you have asked."

King Nebuchadnezzar, enraged, ordered the furnace overheated, bound the three and disposed of them. Much to his surprise the fire did not consume them.

They were walking unbound among the flames with a fourth who, according to the king, "looked like a son of the gods."

The king called them out of the fire. When they were inspected, they were not harmed, their clothing was unsinged, and they did not even smell of smoke.

The conviction you stand on and the gracious resolve you demonstrate defines who you are and the faith you possess.

Gracious resolve says, "I cannot do that. I know the consequences, I don't want them, but if they come, I still cannot do that."

These three, despite the potential consequences, graciously but firmly stood in their conviction that they were not to worship any other god.

"We cannot do what you asked. We know what will happen to us. We do not want that, but we still cannot do what you ask."

We need a few more men and women like this.