Daniel 3:23
But these three men, Shadrach, Meshach and Abed-nego, fell into the midst of the furnace of blazing fire still tied up.
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Those three godly young Jewish men who had refused to bow down and worship Nebuchadnezzar's golden image most certainly had faith. They said to that king that their God was able to deliver them from the fire and even if He chose to not do so they were still not going to worship that idol. {Dan.3:17} They were committed to bowing only before the glory of the Lord YHWH. Therefore, the account of these events was about their faith based obedience and the faithfulness of their God!
The Lord God had said 'For you shall not worship any other god, for the Lord, whose name is Jealous, is a jealous God.' {Ex.34:14} Shadrach, Meshach and Abed-nego had indeed offered themselves as a living and holy sacrifice—true worship as the apostle Paul wrote. {Rom.12:1} We all need to learn what the prophet Samuel meant when he said, 'Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice.' {1Sam.15:23}
We are all too often told today by 'men of God' that faith is about what you can get and then point you to things of this world, tangible things. Of course we should all have heard by now those wonderful words of the apostle Peter who said “Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery ordeal among you, which comes upon you for your testing, as though some strange thing were happening to you;” {1Pt.4:12} And that magnificent 'faith chapter' Hebrews 11 which tells of the men and women of old who, by faith, gained the approval of God! {Heb.11:2} They gave, they offered, they obeyed, they endured and they often died...for they considered suffering for Christ to be great riches. The presence of Christ is far more wonderful than all of the presents the world offers.
Jesus Himself made that clear when He was tempted in the wilderness by Satan. That old devil offered the Lord all of the riches of the world if He would bow and worship him. Jesus responded by saying 'Begone, Satan! For it is written, You shall worship the Lord your God, and serve Him only' {Mat.4:8-10} Nebuchadnezzar would have to learn that the hard way.
So Shadrach, Meshach and Abed-nego, were not only delivered, and saved, they spent that time in the fire loosed from their bonds and walking in the midst of the fire, now Holy Fire. As E.M. Bartlett wrote in the lyrics of his beautiful hymn, for sure, there is 'Victory in Jesus.’ Those three young men were walking there in the furnace designed to take their lives in the company of the One who is the giver of life. He who is the Lord of Lords, the King of Kings, the Holy One of Israel, the Way, the Truth and the Life, the Redeemer, the only begotten Son of the Father, the Bread of Life, the Deliverer, the True Vine, the One who holds the seven stars on His right hand and who walks among the seven golden lampstands. The One who is truly God and truly man!
Those lampstands by the way are even today giving light to all who are in God’s house as Jesus, the true Shepherd, promised. {Mat.5:14-15}
"Keep your life free from love of money, and be content with what you have, for he has said, "I will never leave you nor forsake you. So we can confidently say, "The Lord is my helper; I will not fear; what can man do to me?"” (Hebrews 13:5-6)
TRUST IN GOD AND BE FAITHFUL TO THE END |
