NO NEED TO BE DEFENSIVE

One of the toughest things in the world to face is when you are falsely accused.

Not sure if that has ever happened to you.  It has to me.

I’ve learned a principle years ago to never become defensive.  Before I share the principle, let me tell you first what I read this morning.

Scenario: People who were upset with the 3 Hebrew boys (Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego) wanted to take them out… literally to take them out.

They tricked King Neby to issue a decree that everyone should bow down to the statue he built.  Non-compliance would result in death.

But because the 3 Hebrew boys served God and God alone and not any other gods, they refused to bow down.

This made King Neby ‘furious with rage’ (Dan. 3:13).  He sounded pretty mad.  He gave them another chance to do so but they once again refused.

Their response?

“O 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 save us from it and he will rescue us from your hand.
But even if he does not, we want you to know, O king, that we will not serve your gods or worship the image of gold you have set up.” (Dan. 3:16-18)

What courage!

Where did that courage come from?

Came from a confidence that God was their Defender – Someone bigger and more powerful.

The principle?

If I am in the wrong, no need to defend myself.  I AM WRONG!  Can’t be defensive.

If I am in the right, no need to defend myself.  Someone bigger and more powerful can vindicate me.

Plus, sooner or later, people will know the truth and that very truth will set me free.