DIFFERENT, DETERMINED AND DELIVERED

Daniel 3: 1-30

Read in any translation of the Holy Scripture.

Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego were young men who believed in GOD. They knew that they could not bow down to any other god or serve another god; this would offend the One True and living GOD.

King Nebuchadnezzar had built a golden statue so tall that it out reached all the other gods of the people; he was proud of his great reign as king and wanted the acclaim be given for his greatness.  It was decreed that when the great band of the King would blow, all the people would bow down to the image. If they didn't bow down, they would die in the fire.  Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego refused to bow to the image; they stood tall, while the other people bowed down.  These men were filled with the Holy Spirit and with the fire of the LORD.

When the King heard about it, he decreed that the three men be thrown into the furnace, which had been heated seven times hotter.  The men were bound and thrown into the fire with all their clothes on.  These three men did not fear the fire, but praised the LORD. The fire was so hot, that the men who threw Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego into the furnace were killed by the flames; YET, the three men were not harmed by the fire.

When Nebuchadnezzar looked into the furnace, he saw four men, not three and he was astounded. The fourth Man was like the Son of GOD. This miracle turned the kings heart and the three men where called forth from the furnace; unburned and even their cloths were not smelling of fire.  It seems that the only thing that was burned were the shackles and bands; the three men were free from their bondage. The king rewarded them with honor and wealth.

These men were different from all the other people; they were determined to serve the One True GOD only; and they were delivered from all their bondage.  

The message for us is: stand firm for the Way of the LORD and be different from all others who will stray. Stand firm for what is right and righteous in the sight of the LORD and you will be delivered from the fiery darts of the enemy.

THOUGH HE SLAY ME, YET WILL I TRUST HIM. (Job 13:15)