Three Godly Men. Daniel Chapter 3
God’s faithfulness to his people when they put their trust in him.
In this chapter of Daniel we read the story of three Hebrew men. Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednigo. King Nebuchadnezzar had set these three men over his affairs in Babylon at the request of Daniel, who the king had made ruler over all Babylon. These young men were well trained, and were offered the best food from the king’s table, but they chose instead to eat simple pulses and to drink water. Despite this they became fit and healthy, and the king found them to be, in all matters of wisdom and understanding, better than some of his own people.
The Hebrew men had always obeyed the commands of the Lord God. One of these commands can be found in:
Exodus 20 verses 3, 4 and 5.
“You shall have no other gods before me. You shall not make for yourself an idol in the form of anything in heaven above or on the earth beneath or in the waters below. You shall not bow down to them or worship them; for I the Lord your God am a jealous God,”…..
Now King Nebuchadnezzar had made a large golden image, and had ordered that throughout his land, when certain musical instruments were played, everyone had to bow down and worship this image. Failure to do this would result in the person being thrown into a furnace. The three young men were obedient to God and refused to do this. They were very brave and trusted in their God to keep them safe. Bound, they were thrown into the furnace, but they were not harmed and it was seen that there were four people in the fire. Their God was with them, and kept them safe.
God had rewarded these young men for their faithfulness to him and this was a great witness to the king and all the people. For the creator of all things and beings this was no big deal to rescue those three, but God keeps his promises if we trust him and are faithful to him. He never changes and will never leave or forsake us. Sometimes we have problems and dark times but if we trust him, read his word, and seek his face in prayer; He will walk with us always.
Quotation taken from The Holy Bible New International Version