After reading the title, you probably think that I need to reread the Christmas story in the Bible. The wise men brought gifts and worshiped Jesus after searching for Him. A furnace is not mentioned anywhere in any of the New Testament accounts... And you are correct. These are not the wise men I am writing about.
I have been meditating on the lives and actions of three wise men: Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego for several weeks and how their story applies to my life. King Nebuchadnezzar had a gold statue of his likeness created. He ordered everyone in the kingdom to bow down to the statue and worship it when music began to play. The three men did not bow and the king was furious. Nebuchadnezzar threatens to throw them in a fiery furnace. This is their bold reply from The Message:
Daniel 3:16-18
16-18 Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego answered King Nebuchadnezzar, "Your threat means nothing to us. If you throw us in the fire, the God we serve can rescue us from your roaring furnace and anything else you might cook up, O king. But even if he doesn't, it wouldn't make a bit of difference, O king. We still wouldn't serve your gods or worship the gold statue you set up."
The king is so furious with their reply that he goes ahead and has them thrown in the fire. With further reading we find they do not burn. There was someone else walking in the fire with them. Nebuchadnezzar was so overwhelmed at the miracle; he released them and made a decree ordering everyone to honor the God of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego. The three men were promoted in the kingdom.
These three men were wise. They feared or reverenced the Lord and not man. They knew that God was able to deliver them. (He had already done it by helping Daniel interpret the dream of the king.) But if God chose not to deliver it didn't matter. They would not compromise and worship an idol. This took courage and faith in God.
I am facing a very difficult challenge. Meditating on this story has encouraged me. I know that God is able to deliver me like He delivered Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego. He has done it in the past and I know He can do it again! I am resting in His promises. With the grace of God I will not compromise! I am setting my face like a flint...
.Are you facing a difficult challenge? Has God delivered you in the past?
Amen! I love this story! It rocks for Jesus! (could Jesus have been the fourth person in the furnace?)
ReplyDeleteI often laugh that Nebuchadnezzar wrote the next chapter in Daniel!
Go for it! Jesus will be with you in the fire! He baptizes with fire.... hmmm.....
God bless!
Conrad,
ReplyDeleteI too have wondered if it was Jesus in the fire with them... These men were willing to die instead of compromising! They were prayer warriors. In the previous chapter, they agreed with Daniel in prayer so that Daniel could interpret the dream for the king so that the wise men would not be killed.
Again, thank you for commenting!