Considerations from Daniel: Part 2

            In Daniel chapter 3, when Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-nego refused to fall down and worship the giant, golden idol, they were charged with treachery and brought before the foreboding King Nebuchadnezzar.

Enraged, the dictator demanded, “Give me worship or I give you death!”

To which the three Hebrews responded, “If it be so, our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the furnace of blazing fire; and He will deliver us out of your hands, O king. But even if He does not, let it be known to you, O king, that we are not going to serve your gods or worship the golden image that you have set up” (Dan. 3:17-18).

So…

Those Hebrew boys appeared doomed and done for,

When the king had the furnace heated seven times more.

They tied ‘em up tight and in the flames they went.

Then Nebuchadnezzar gave a look and a squint!

Did you follow my orders and throw in three?

‘Cause I see another One. Who is He?

They were walkin’ in the blazes and not gettin’ scorched.

The ropes that had bound them were the only things torched!

“Come out, you servants of the Lord Most High!

Your God is mighty powerful, I cannot deny!

So out came the Hebrews, and I tell you, no joke,

They came out of that fire not even smellin’ like smoke!

So the next time you're put is a fiery-trial furnace,

Know God, the Deliverer, has you there for a purpose.

“The flames shall not hurt thee, (God) only designs,

Thy dross to consume, and thy gold to refine.” ¹

     ¹HOW FIRM A FOUNDATION, Words, John Rippon, 1787. Tune, William Caldwell, 1837