Daniel 3:28, "Then Nebuchadnezzar spake, and said, Blessed be the God of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-nego, who hath sent his angel, and delivered his servants that trusted in him, and have changed the king's word, and yielded their bodies, that they might not serve nor worship any god, except their own God."   

As I read this familiar passage this morning I was reminded of the power of God and the importance of faith as we serve the Lord.  King Nebuchadnezzar had built a 90-foot tall golden image and was so proud of what he had done that all the people were commanded to fall down and worship the image when music was played.  However, three men of faith and conviction, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-nego, refused to bow and participate in this idolatrous act. The king’s fury was so great when he learned of their refusal that he commanded a fiery furnace to be heated seven times hotter than normal and the men tossed in as punishment.  

Well, we know the faith of these men and the power of God in this story.  Daniel 3:23-25 states:  "And these three men, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-nego, fell down bound into the midst of the burning fiery furnace. Then Nebuchadnezzar the king was astonied, and rose up in haste, and spake, and said unto his counselors, Did not we cast three men bound into the midst of the fire? They answered and said unto the king, True, O king. He answered and said, I see four men loose, walking in the midst of the fire, and they have no hurt; and the form of the fourth is like the Son of God."   

The lesson taught herein is great: God's power is infinite, the faith of these men unsurpassed, and God is glorified.  

May we have the faith of these three Hebrew men in order that God's power may be unleashed, and His Name glorified through our lives.

Your Friend and HIS,

Pastor Abbott

MEDITATIONS

1. What do you believe allowed the three Hebrew men to not bow when commanded to do so?

2. How was the protection of God for the three men as they were thrown into the fiery furnace an indication of God’s grace and favor?

3. Do you agree with the following statement? God can do whatsoever He wills. Why or why not?