Chapter 4: The Protection of Obedience

Throughout New and Old Testament Scriptures, many blessings and benefits are shown toward people who love and obey God’s commands. According to the book of Daniel, three young Jewish men (known as Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego) served with their friend, Daniel, in the palace of king Nebuchadnezzar in Babylon. They were exceptionally gifted, strikingly good looking, as well as God-fearing. As a result of their favor with God, they got rapid promotion to the highest level of government in Babylon.

Around this time, the king made an image of gold and ordered everyone to fall down and worship it at the sound of certain musical instruments. He also ordered that whoever disobeyed his instruction should be thrown into a burning fiery furnace. Contrary to his expectation, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego disobeyed him. Instead, they chose to obey God’s commandment, which says, “You shall not make for yourself a carved image; you shall not bow down to them nor serve them…” (Exodus 20:4-5) And for this reason, they were bound and thrown into the burning furnace but God saved them.

The following are some benefits that came to these young men for obeying God:

1. God’s Protection. Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego were thrown into the burning fiery furnace but four men, all unbound and unscathed, were later spotted in it; the fourth being like the Son of That means Jesus was on hand to protect them. This confirms what the bible says in Isaiah 43:2 “When you walk through the fire, you shall not be burned, nor shall the flame scorch you”. Friend, as you walk through the ‘fires’ of life each day please, choose to obey God and Jesus’ commands and He’ll protect you all the way through in Jesus name and His power at the right hand of God.
2. God’s Promotion. Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego were summarily promoted after disobeying the king’s commandment and obeying God’s. Their promotion was not initiated by King Nebuchadnezzar. As a matter of fact, it was from God and the Psalmist corroborated this clearly as follows: “No one from the east or the west or from the desert can exalt a man. But it is God who judges: He brings one down, he exalts ” (Psalm 75:6-7). Therefore, if you genuinely desire promotion in any area of your life, for example, your health, family, education, professional calling, ministry, finance, business, etc., obey Jesus’ and God the Father’s commands.
3. Divine Blessings. The promotion enabled them to enjoy many blessings in Babylon. This proves that Isaiah 1:19 is right. It says: ”If you are willing and obedient, You shall eat the good of the land’’. Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego were willing and obedient, and they ate the good of the land of Babylon. If you are willing and obedient to God the Father and Jesus’ commands, you shall eat the good of the land where you live.

The Commands of Jesus (31-40)

Command 31

Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moths and vermin destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. 20 But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moths and vermin do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. (Matthew 6:19-21)

Commands 32

No one can serve two masters. Either you will hate the one and love the other, or you will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and money. (Matthew 6:24)

Command 33

Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothes? Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? Can any one of you by worrying add a single hour to your life? (Matthew 6:25-27)

Command 34

And why do you worry about clothes? See how the flowers of the field grow. They do not labor or spin. Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, will he not much more clothe you—you of little faith? So do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ (Matthew 6:28-31)

Command 35

But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. (Matthew 6:33)

Command 36

Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own. (Matthew 6:34)

Command 37

Do not judge, or you too will be judged. For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you. (Matthew 7:1-2)

Command 38

“Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brother’s eye and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye? How can you say to your brother, ‘Let me take the speck out of your eye,’ when all the time there is a plank in your own eye? You hypocrite, first take the plank out

of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother’s eye. (Matthew 7:3-5)

Command 39

Do not give dogs what is sacred; do not throw your pearls to pigs. If you do, they may trample them under their feet, and turn and tear you to pieces. (Matthew 7:6)

Command 40

Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives; the one who seeks finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened. (Matthew 7:7-8)