During the reign of King Nebuchadnezzar, three men had to make a decision. In front of them stood a ninety-foot-tall idol made of gold. They were commanded to bow down and worship or be thrown into a fiery furnace. Maybe they were looking at each other and contemplating. Perhaps wondering what they should do next. They decide what to do despite the fear of death. Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego stand up for their God and later tell the king, “…O Nebuchadnezzar, we do not need to give you an answer concerning this matter. 17 If it be so, our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the furnace of blazing fire; and He will deliver us out of your hand, O king. 18 But even if He does not, let it be known to you, O king, that we are not going to serve your gods or worship the golden image that you have set up.” (Daniel 3:16-17). These three men stood for what they believed in.
The king has them bound and thrown into the furnace which was heated seven time hotter than normal. The men who threw them in died from the heat of the flame. Yet even though they were knocked down and tied up, the Scriptures tell us that Nebuchadnezzar saw them standing up and, “…walking about in the midst of the fire without harm…” (Daniel 3:25). No matter what fiery furnace you are going through, remember that God is standing with you.
What caused Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego to be so bold? I believe that it was because they knew their true names. Although these names sound great because they rhyme, when we look at their definition, these are really terrible names. We know them by Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, but these were not their original names. These were the names that King Nebuchadnezzar gave them.
You see King Nebuchadnezzar was a narcissistic king of Babylon. He conquered much territory, moved into Jerusalem, burned down the temple, and had taken captives. The Babylonian Empire was great at brainwashing people and mixing them into their culture. One of the ways they did this was by changing their names.
He took Hananiah (God is Gracious) and changed it to Shadrach (Commander of the moon God). He took Mishael (who is like God) to Meshach (Who is like the Moon God). And he took Azzuriah (God has helped) to Abednego (Servant of Nego).
Names are very important. Our enemy is called the, “accuser of the brethren” (Revelation 12:10). He is always trying to rename us. Don’t allow it to happen. Don’t allow your name to be sick, depressed, or sad. Take that identity and cast it aside. Receive your new name: beloved, favored, righteous, blessed, the head and not the tail, and servant of the Lord.