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This We Believe

September 11th, 2024

Daniel 3:16-23

A furious Nebuchadnezzar was in a bind. He’d appointed Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego as administrators over Babylon in response to Daniel’s earlier request (2:49). In the meantime, he had issued a decree, and now the astrologers had exposed the unwillingness of the three men to comply with the decree.

The king was pressured by public exposure and his own rage to follow through on his threat of the fiery furnace. Perhaps remembering his commitment to Daniel, he offered the young men one last chance. Fall down and worship, and you can walk away. They refused.

Now the king’s humiliation was public. His rage increased, and any chance of avoiding his wrath disappeared. Into the flickering flames went the men, their words of faith echoing in their ears. “The God we serve is able to deliver us.” One way or another.

Philippians 1:21: “For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain”?

Author: Joann Shade