In the book of Daniel, Daniel shared how Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego would not bow to or worship the golden image King Nebuchadnezzar set up, and “Nebuchadnezzar spoke and said unto them, Is it true, O Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, do not you serve my gods, nor worship the golden image which I have set up? Now if you be ready that at what time you hear the sound of the cornet, flute, harp, sackbut, psaltery, and dulcimer, and all kinds of music, you fall down and worship the image which I have made; well: but if you worship not, you shall be cast the same hour into the midst of a burning fiery furnace; and who is that God that shall deliver you out of my hands? Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, answered and said to the king, O Nebuchadnezzar, we are not careful to answer you in this matter”, and in chapter three and verse seventeen of his book, Daniel shared how Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego answered Nebuchadnezzar, “our God whom we serve is able to deliver us”, where we read,
If it be so, our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the burning fiery furnace,
and he will deliver us out of your hand, O king.
The verse reads, “If it be so, our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the burning fiery furnace, ...” Daniel began with the words, “if it be so” or “whether and in case being thrown into the fiery furnace is true”, “our God whom we serve” which means “our, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego's, Supreme Deity that we, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, revere, worship and pay reverence to” “is able to deliver us” or “is capable to rescue, free and save us, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego” “from the burning fiery furnace” which means “separate and apart from the hot, ardent, fervent and painful fire-place”. Daniel shared how “Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego” told King Nebuchadnezzar that in case they were thrown into the fiery furnace, their Supreme Deity has the ability to rescue them.
The verse goes on to say, “... and he will deliver us out of your hand, O king.” Daniel continued with the words, “and he will deliver us” which means “and he, the Supreme Deity Jehovah God, shall rescue and save us, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego” “out of your hand” or “from your, King Nebuchadnezzar's physical hand of power, might and authority”, “O king” which means “O royal ruler and leader”. Daniel said “ Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego” told King Nebuchadnezzar that their Supreme Deity would rescue and save them from his power and authority.
When we consider the words in this verse, we learn more through Daniel about the resolve of “Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego”. They knew one way or another Jehovah God would rescue them from King Nebuchadnezzar's power. If they were destroyed in the fire, they would go to be with the Lord, and if God delivered them from the fire by a miracle, they would be saved from King Nebuchadnezzar's power as well. God wants us to trust in Him, and He made access to a personal relationship with Him through His Son Jesus who died on the cross for the sins of all mankind and was raised from the dead after three days. When we have faith in Him, He will forgive our sins, grant us everlasting life and give us the power of His Holy Spirit to be firm and resolute in our commitment to Him and His ability to save us.
Next time Daniel shares how Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego said to Nebuchadnezzar, “if not … we will not serve your gods”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.
Until tomorrow…there is more…
See more devotionals on the website "thewordfortodaywithray.com" or look for the daily devotional book “Equipped for Battle – From Generation to Generation”, the marriage book “So, You Want to Be Married”, “One Year in the Sermon on the Mount” and the new poetry book "Random Mushrooms Volumes I and II" and the new novel "Elizabeth County" in all major bookstore sites, http://www.amazon.com ; http://www.barnesandnobles.com ; download to e-books, and find it locally at www.mrzlc.com/bookstore. All references are from "Strongs Concordance".
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