In Daniel 3:1-28 we read about Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego's refusal to serve other gods or worship the image of gold that King Nebuchadnezzar wanted them to worship. The king had an image of gold, sixty cubits high and six cubits wide. (or bout 27 meters high by 2.7 metters wide). The people were told that as soon as they heard the sound of the horn, flute, zither, lyre, harp, pipe and all kinds of music, they had to fall down and worship the image of gold. Therefore, as soon the people heard the sound of the horn, flute, zither, lyre, harp and all kinds of music, all the nations and peoples of every language fell down and worshiped the image of gold. People were warned that anyone that did not fall down and worship the image of gold was going to be thrown into a blazing furnace. Some astronomers who desired to gain the favor of the king were quick to warn him that Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego were ignoring the king's orders. In verse 13 the bible says that upon hearing the rebellious attitude of the three young men, the king was furious with rage. But the faith of these three young men was unshakable and they were not going to bow down to the image of gold. Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego were committed to God. They had confidence that the Lord would deliver them from this predicament. The king was so infuriated that he ordered the furnace heated seven time hotter than usual. Then he had them firmly tied and thrown into the blazing furnace. But God was with Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego. Later, when the king returned to have a look at the men in the furnace, he was amazed that not only the three young men were walking around in the fire, unbound and unharmed. The king noticed that there was a fourth man walking around in the furnace. In verse 25 he makes this comment: “Look! I see four men walking around in the fire, unbound and unharmed, and the fourth looks like a son of the gods.” He realized that the God of Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego had indeed delivered them while they were in the blazing furnace. King Nebuchadnezzar could no longer denied the power, the faithfulness and the deliverance iof the God of these three young men. In verse 28 we read that he praised the God of Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego.
Every time I read this story, it encourages me to keep praying and believing God for situations I have been praying about for a long time, but yet I'm still waiting for God to intervene. The level of faith demonstrated by Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego shows me to just keep believing and keep praying because in His time, the Lord will take my situations “out of the fire” and turn them into His glorious deliverance.
I realize that most of you have read this story several times. Nevertheless, I wrote this article to encourage all of you that are waiting for answers to your prayers, to just keep believing and keep praying. Your day is coming where you will see the deliverance of the Lord for those prayers that are so dear to your heart. If you have asked the Lord for healing, the salvation of a loved one or a restoration of a relationship, your prayers are still in the hands of the most high God. He has absolutely not forgotten about your petition. In His time, your requests will be “out of the fire” and delivered to you with the type of the love and compassion that only the Lord is able to bestow.
In Isaiah 60:22b it says.“ .....I am the Lord, and when it is time, I will make these things happen quickly,”
In the meantime, may the Lord bless you and keep you strong!
Denise
Bible references are from the New International & New Century versions.
