Furious with rage, Nebuchadnezzar summoned Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego. So these men were brought before the king, and Nebuchadnezzar said to them “Is it true, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, that you do not serve my gods or worship the image of gold I have set up? (NIV)

This Scripture is likely familiar to you as the story of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego is discussed often throughout church circles, Sunday schools, and Bible studies. But have you thought about how it might apply to current times, especially in the political season?

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Despite facing the consequence of being burned alive, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego refused to follow King Nebuchadnezzar’s order for everyone in Babylon to worship him and the golden idol he had constructed. The king gives the three men an opportunity once more to worship him under threat of death, yet they hold fast to only worshiping the one true King and declare that God will deliver them. Consequently, the three men are thrown into a fiery furnace but are miraculously delivered from certain death by God without even a singed hair.  

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Can you imagine being faced with a decision like these three were in? We are faced with a decision not too unlike Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego. Although we likely won’t be burned alive, where our allegiance lies is being challenged, nonetheless. We can choose to worship the rulers (or political figures) of the day or maintain our allegiance to the Lord. As political pressure from society, family, friends, or coworkers mounts, we are often told to pick a side, draw a line in the sand, and place all of our trust in a politician. This person will be the supposed savior of our country, maybe even the free world. But what if there was a better way?

Well, friends, there is a better way. And it is brought to you by the Giver of abundant life. Jesus already came many years ago to be the true Savior of all who will follow him. And to him is where our allegiance belongs.  We aren’t meant to bow to the politicians of the day but to place all our trust and faith in God.

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Today's section of the book of Daniel highlights a truth that dispels a lie many of us have believed for quite some time: that we shouldn’t mix our faith with politics.  However, we clearly see through Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego’s disobedience in Babylon, Jesus’ life, and throughout the Bible that Christianity is political no matter which way you slice it.  Knowing that we cannot be apolitical brings us to the realization that what’s important for us is to resist political pressure and remain focused on where our allegiance should truly reside.  Politicians come and go, but Jesus is King forever!

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Even though you and I likely feel pressured to put our trust in one of this political season’s candidates, what if instead we placed our trust in God and surrendered it all to him? What if we rejected the idea that one candidate or another is the solution to all of our problems and instead sought to be guided by the truth that the omnipotent God we serve is the One with all of the answers? Let us commit this season to not idolizing our leaders but to praying for them all. Stay tuned to this series as we encourage followers of Christ to engage in politics well. But today, let us start with endorsing Jesus, pledging our allegiance to him, and let everything else flow from that place.

Jesus, I want you to be my King, no one else. Don’t let us be blinded by the political chaos, division, and noise.  Please help us to love others well and see each person the way that you do.  Help us to surrender it all to you, to have open hearts and minds, and to be led by your Spirit. Amen!