One of my favorite sermons of all time is Oral Robert’s “The Forth Man.” As a young Christian I was deeply impacted with his passion to preach and His passion to win souls. Many years later, attending the University he founded has also deeply impacted my life and ministry. The central theme of “The Fourth Man” message is God’s willingness and ability to deliver those who refuse to compromise.
The three Hebrew youths Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego refused to bow to the golden idol King Nebuchadnezzar had set up. The King was about to throw them into the furnace and they replied “King Nebuchadnezzar, we do not need to defend ourselves before you in this matter. If we are thrown into the blazing furnace, the God we serve is able to deliver us from it, and he will deliver us from Your Majesty’s hand. But even if he does not, we want you to know, Your Majesty, that we will not serve your gods or worship the image of gold you have set up.” (Daniel 3:16-18)
Oral Roberts’s message was “If you don’t bow, you can’t burn.” If you refuse to compromise what you believe, if you refuse to bow down, God will come through for you. If you stand up for God, He will stand up for you. God is looking for opportunities to come through for those who honor Him. And of course the Hebrew youths said, “Even if God doesn’t deliver us, we won’t bow down.” Sometimes it’s important to do what is right, just because it’s the right thing to do, whether or not God comes through.
It can be tempting to compromise our convictions when we are under pressure. It can be tempting to compromise our convictions when we are faced with death or threats of any kind. God is looking for those who refuse to bow no matter how much the heat turns up. He’s looking for those willing to walk right into the fire and follow Him wherever He leads. And of course when these Hebrew youths walked into the fire, they found Jesus, the fourth man waiting for them there.
You can be certain, when you walk with God and obey His leading you will always find Jesus. He’s a friend that sticks closer than a brother. I have found in my own life when I have walked through fiery trials that’s when I have been brought closer to Jesus. It can be tempting to abandon your faith and compromise when the heat turns up, but today I want to encourage you, no matter what you are faced with in life, don’t you bow, God will come through for you!
