Daniel 3:

What would the telling of this story make God's exiled people feel and act like?

God moved in a miraculous way to comfort his people in exile and show them that
* He hadn't entirely abandoned them
* He was their rescuer
* There was hope.

Also, these amazing miracles would show God's judgement on the Babylonians.
Although they had God's people captive, they brought them into a strange land, they were ruling the world, nevertheless:
* the God of the Hebrews was still in control.
* He could spoil their plans.

The Test: Who do you serve?
Is it True that you will not serve any other gods? (v.14)
Life is our test.

In a foreign land with no one to watch will you still worship only God and refuse to bow?

Their purpose?:

1. To draw us closer to him,

2. To strengthen our faith, and

3. To see what our hearts trust in.

The key for the Christian is whether or not the real object of our worship/service is God, if He is not then the object of our worship is an idol and we are involved in false worship. Getting this wrong is the ‘common condition of humanity in a fallen world’. Sin is wrong worship. Serving other gods.

Mishael = “Who is as God", now Meshach named after a heathen god.
16 DANIEL 1:5–7, 8–16
Hananiah = YAH (YHWH) is gracious now Shadrach “I am fearful of god
(Marduck).”
Azariah = YHWH has helped now Abednego “Servant of the shining one
(i.e. the god Nabu).”
Their identity as Shadrach Meshach etc, vs the title they're given … servants of God.
(check their real identity in v17, "the God whom we serve", and in v26, "servants of the Most High God").
12 times we have the list of their names in this chapter? FUNNY! 'You can change our names, identify us with pagan idols, but our hearts are fixed'. A Hebrew reading this would have found that quite funny I reckon.
Oh yes, the "fearer of Marduck" refuses to bow down to Marduck! Who is really in control here? The living God keeps his people. 'You guys are not playing the game!'

Do I like that label? Servant of God?
Does it fit me?

Worship is universal. Everyone is a server / worshipper in some way towards something(s).

Bob Dylan knew that:
But you're gonna have to serve somebody, yes indeed
You're gonna have to serve somebody,
Well, it may be the devil or it may be the Lord
But you're gonna have to serve somebody.

There is a strong note of irony here. God's people are in exile because of their idolatry (Jeremiah 8:19). Israel was commanded not to make or worship idols, on penalty of death. Until being taken away to Babylon, they continued in their idolatry. Idolatry was one of the reasons why they were slaves in Babylon.

Now, with the making of this golden image and the dedication ceremony, Daniel’s three friends find themselves commanded to worship this idol, or die. God said, “Worship idols and die,”
while Nebuchadnezzar said, “Worship my idol or die.”
Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-nego had made up their minds to worship only the true God even if it meant death; Nebuchadnezzar commanded them to bow to his idol, or they would surely die.
In doing what seemed to lead to certain death (refusing to bow down to the golden image), the three Hebrews were delivered from death.
How do these three compare with how Israel had behaved and treated God?

These three remained faithful to God and to His law, even when threatened with the fiery furnace.
In contrast, Israel persisted in her idolatry, even when warned not to do so. Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-nego are the ideal Israelites, who obey God’s law even when it is life-threatening.
They would rather face the wrath of men than the wrath of God. Even with the greatest despot in the world busting a blood vessel with rage right in their faces!
Does their fear of God remind you of something Jesus said in Matthew?

“Do not fear those who can kill the body, but rather fear Him who is able to destroy both soul and body in hell” (Matthew 10:28).

What causes Neb to praise God?

Is it what God has done or is it the faith of his people?

v28
Then Nebuchadnezzar said, "Praise to the God of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego! He sent his angel to rescue his servants who trusted in him. They defied the king's command and were willing to die rather than serve or worship any god except their own God."

A great God seen through his people's daring faith. - I think both.

But, Neb's attention is drawn to God by the behaviour of his ppl. "They trusted in him".
Not just their words but their behaviour. He is intrigued, attracted and amazed at their willingness to face death. Their commitment to God alone, is as amazing as the rescue!
Neb has no power over them. His threats are useless. He's up against God and His people!
and these boys are under God's rule.

What causes people around us to praise God?

Do you still want to entertain compromise?
Do you still feel tempted to be ambiguous in your faith?
Will you still be half-hearted in your service of God when so much is at stake?