A Journal of Joy: Things that make my heart smile…
By Barbara Dahlgren
One of my favorite Bible accounts is about Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego. I’m sure you are familiar with this story found in the third chapter of Daniel. Here’s a little background.
When Babylon conquered Judah, King Nebuchadnezzar required all the brightest and best young men of Judah to come to Babylon (Daniel 1:3-5). After three years of training, they would be given prominent positions in his court. Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego were among those chosen. The hope was that after being indoctrinated in the Babylonian culture, they would embrace these new habits and customs, but that’s not what happened. Although they were dedicated servants of the king, their hearts remained loyal to God.
Later, King Nebuchadnezzar made a huge idol of gold and required everyone to bow before it when the music played (Daniel 3). Those who did not bow would be thrown into a fiery furnace. Well, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego would not bow down. When the king found out, he was furious and said, “If you do not worship the image I’ve made, you will be thrown into the midst of a fiery furnace. And who is the god who will deliver you from my hands?” (Daniel 3: 15).
Now here comes my favorite part…
These men basically said, “Our God is able to deliver us from the burning fiery furnace and He will deliver us from your hand. But if not, let it be known to you, O king, that we do not serve your gods, nor will we worship the golden image which you have set up” (Daniel 3:16-18).
You see, they knew their God could deliver them, but if for some reason God chose not to – that was okay with them. They were still going to worship God. Even if God allowed them to die, it would be a form of delivery from the hand of Nebuchadnezzar.
WOW! That’s the kind of faith I want to have – the kind of faith that trusts God completely even when He doesn’t give me what I want, what I think I deserve, or what I think I need.
Well, you know the rest of the story. Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego were bound. In the king’s anger, he had the fire made hotter – so blazing hot that the flames killed the men who tossed them into the furnace. However, when the king looked in to see what was happening, there weren’t just three unharmed men walking around, but four (Daniel 3:25). The fourth one was the Son of God! Nebuchadnezzar said, “Blessed be the God of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego!” (Daniel 3:28). You see, this was all done for God’s glory, not theirs!
What a joyful time that must have been!
Here’s the deal… Sometimes God delivers me from pain and suffering, and sometimes He doesn’t. Do I still praise and worship Him? I hope so. One thing’s for sure, in my fiery furnace it isn’t just me walking around, the Son of God is walking with me.
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O God of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego! Sometimes I forget Your power and might. I forget how You delivered our biblical forefathers and that You can deliver me. But if You choose not to deliver me or give me what I want, help me to always be faithful and trust You. Regardless of circumstances, let my life be lived for Your glory.
