6/11/09

Fearless

Fearless, absolutely fearless. That's the way I would describe this little girl. For her to be able to look the animal in the eye and shout at it, is something I would expect of a much older person. Then again, who knows how brave a person can be until a time of testing occurs. Think about that as you read this passage from the book of Daniel.
Dan 3:8-18
8 Therefore at that time certain Chaldeans came near, and brought accusation against the Jews.9 They answered Nebuchadnezzar the king, O king, live for ever.10 You, O king, have made a decree, that every man that shall hear the sound of the horn, flute, zither, lyre, harp, pipe, and all kinds of music, shall fall down and worship the golden image;11 and whoever doesn't fall down and worship shall be cast into the midst of a burning fiery furnace.12 There are certain Jews whom you have appointed over the affairs of the province of Babylon: Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego; these men, O king, have not regarded you: they don't serve your gods, nor worship the golden image which you have set up.13 Then Nebuchadnezzar in his rage and fury commanded to bring Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego. Then they brought these men before the king.14 Nebuchadnezzar answered them, Is it on purpose, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, that you don't serve my god, nor worship the golden image which I have set up?15 Now if you are ready whenever you hear the sound of the horn, flute, zither, lyre, harp, pipe, and all kinds of music to fall down and worship the image which I have made, well: but if you don't worship, you shall be cast the same hour into the midst of a burning fiery furnace; and who is that god that shall deliver you out of my hands?16 Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego answered the king, Nebuchadnezzar, we have no need to answer you in this matter.17 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 your hand, O king.18 But if not, be it known to you, O king, that we will not serve your gods, nor worship the golden image which you have set up.WEB
The king offered them a choice: submit or suffer a horrible death. They chose to trust God and only do his wishes. God delivered them out of the fire, but the important thing to remember is that they were willing to die; willing to suffer even an awful death. They, and the girl in the picture were fearless and an example to all of us. And by the way, animal breath can be pretty bad, because have you ever seen some things animals will eat?