Friday, November 11 2011
Daniel 3
Verse of the Day:V25 “He answered and said, Lo, 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.”
1. The Fire (V1-7)
V1 “Nebuchadnezzar the king made an image of gold, whose height was threescore cubits, and the breadth thereof six cubits: he set it up in the plain of Dura, in the province of Babylon.”
Nebuchadnezzar, the king of Babylon, thought that he was the greatest in the world and he began to build a towering golden image which represented his power and glory. He then commanded all the people in his kingdom to worship the golden image and those who refused to worship the golden image would be thrown into the burning fiery furnace.
V6 “And whoso falleth not down and worshippeth shall the same hour be cast into the midst of a burning fiery furnace.”
2. The Fury (V8-18)
V12 “There are certain Jews whom thou hast set over the affairs of the province of Babylon, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-nego; these men, O king, have not regarded thee: they serve not thy gods, nor worship the golden image which thou hast set up.”
There were three Jews, Shadrach, Meshach and Abed-nego, who refused to worship the golden image. They prayed for God’s deliverance yet they were prepared to die in the fire than to fear the fury of the king. They believed that their God, their Creator shall deliver them even in death, so how could they fear the king, who was but a creature like them?
V13 “Then Nebuchadnezzar in his rage and fury commanded to bring Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-nego. Then they brought these men before the king.”
3. The Fourth (V19-30)
V25 “He answered and said, Lo, 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 fourth was indeed the Son of God who walked with Shadrach, Meshach and Abed-nego and preserved their lives. Nebuchadnezzar not only pardoned but promoted them as he realised that their God was the true God! Let us not fear man but God who not only saves our lives, but especially our souls from the fiery pits of hell to the portals of heaven.
V30 “Then the king promoted Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-nego, in the province of Babylon.”
Prayer of the Day:
Dearest God, thank You that I know You, the Fourth Man.
