The book of Daniel records that there once was a king named Nebuchadnezzar who was the ruler of the mighty empire of Babylon.  Babylon was centered in the area of modern-day Iraq, but through conquest, Nebuchadnezzar’s empire extended all the way to Egypt.  He had built up his military into a mighty force that could bulldoze over any opposition.  At the same time, he had set up his governmental structure so that communication could flow easily among all the various language groups under his control.  He had accomplished this feat of organization by taking the best and brightest youths from each conquered people and training them to be translators and administrators within his empire.  He was building a kingdom to last forever.  In no place was this more apparent than in the city of Babylon itself where magnificent structures in beautifully painted colors lined the streets, and gardens of fragrant flowers draped the tops of buildings.  Numerous fiery kilns produced the multitude of bricks needed for Nebuchadnezzar’s many construction projects, and each brick bore his name.  Every building in his city was labeled as belonging to him.  He had built the greatest empire on earth, and he meant it to last far beyond his lifetime as a memorial to his genius and achievements.

There was one problem.  One of the gods of the many peoples that he had conquered was standing in the way of Nebuchadnezzar’s plans.  The god of the Hebrew people was called Yahweh, and He had sent a dream to Nebuchadnezzar telling him that there would be an end to his own kingdom of Babylon.  What was worse was that the kingdoms that would replace Nebuchadnezzar’s magnificent empire would be inferior in quality to his great realm.  Who was this obscure god to try to stop his great plans?  Nebuchadnezzar had already destroyed Yahweh’s one and only temple in Jerusalem, but that was not enough.  He had to do something to stop this little god’s interference with Babylon’s future, but what could he do?

Then Nebuchadnezzar had a brilliant idea.  He knew exactly what to do.  Babylon had plenty of gods to defend the city.  Nebuchadnezzar would commission a big beautiful golden statue to one of Babylon’s most powerful gods and induce that deity to protect the city against this upstart Yahweh.  Nebuchadnezzar would gather all of the important people in the city to one place and assemble the best musicians in the empire.  He would make a giant festive pageant to honor the idol god, and everyone would worship the idol.  When the god of Babylon saw what they were doing, he would stomp Yahweh down to size and teach him not to interfere with Babylon.  With enough bribery, Babylon’s deity would be strongly motivated to keep protecting Babylon against any and all threats.

Nebuchadnezzar happily furnished large quantities of gold to the best craftsmen in the city, and the resulting giant statue was a dazzling masterpiece worthy of worship.  Just the sight of the idol would persuade the onlookers to bow before it, but Nebuchadnezzar always thought of contingencies in case his first plan was inadequate.  This was one reason that Babylon was the leader of the world.  He had a backup plan for anyone who refused to worship his idol.  One of his large brick kilns was next to the idol.  If anyone refused to worship, the Babylonian god would still be happy when that person was offered as a sacrifice in the fires of the kiln.  It was a win-win situation.  Either way, the Babylonian god would be pleased enough with Babylon to defend it forever!

The day of the initial worship session finally arrived.  The musicians had practiced and were ready to perform.  The important government officials and rulers of his empire were assembled.  Nebuchadnezzar signaled for the music to begin and watched with satisfaction as the multitudes surrounding the idol all lowered themselves to the ground in worship.  Everyone, that is, but three men who towered above the prone bodies of the crowd.  Maybe, they had not understood the directions.  Nebuchadnezzar would explain their options and give them another chance.  However, the three men refused his magnanimous offer.  They respectfully explained that their God was Yahweh, and they could not worship other gods.  They knew that they would be thrown in the fire.  Yahweh could protect them in the fire, but even if Yahweh did not protect them, they would not bow.  In other words, their life or death depended on Yahweh, not the idol god and not the king.

Nebuchadnezzar was furious.  Yahweh was messing up his plans again.  He would show that upstart god of a conquered people who was in control!  He ordered the fire in the kiln to be as hot as possible and commanded some of his loyal soldiers to grab the three men and cast them into the inferno.  The three Hebrews made no protest or struggle as they were manhandled to the kiln and shoved inside.  The blazing fire was throwing out so much heat that Nebuchadnezzar’s soldiers died as they performed their duty.  Oh well, the Babylonian idol would be happy with the sacrifice of such loyal and brave men.

However, as Nebuchadnezzar watched the scene in the blazing kiln, he grew confused.  The three Hebrews were walking around in the fire!  And there was a fourth man with them.  What was more, that fourth man looked like a god!  Finally, when it became apparent that the three Hebrews were not dying in the blaze, Nebuchadnezzar motioned for them to exit the kiln.  As they approached him, the king was shocked to realize that they were totally untouched by the fire from their healthy skin to their expensive clothes.  In fact, not even their hair was singed.

King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon, for maybe the first time in his life, surrendered.  Yahweh had beat out the most powerful Babylonian god of all.  Yahweh did not need a temple or an idol to work His power.  Nebuchadnezzar was the best of the best, but he was still human and no match for Yahweh.

There are two lessons I want you to learn form this story.  First, if the God of the Bible—Yahweh—is your God, stop worrying about your troubles.  Just follow where He leads, even if it is into a fiery furnace.  Second, if you are fighting against God, you are going to lose, and you will probably end up looking foolish when you do, so surrender.  Follow Yahweh where He leads you instead of fighting Him. 

And remember, Yahweh means “I am.”  “Jesus said to them, ‘Truly, truly, I say to you, before Abraham was, I am.’ So they picked up stones to throw at him, but Jesus hid himself and went out of the temple” (John 8:58-59).  Just like Nebuchadnezzar, even when Jesus’ enemies thought they had won at the cross, they lost.  From Nebuchadnezzar to the cross to today, the lesson remains.  Don’t fight against God because you will lose.  Instead, follow the Lamb wherever He goes.