Jesus throughout the Scriptures: Exilic Prophets (1) (7)
Pray Psalm 16.10, 11.
For You will not leave my soul in Sheol,
Nor will You allow Your Holy One to see corruption.
You will show me the path of life;
In Your presence is fullness of joy;
At Your right hand are pleasures forevermore.
Sing Psalm 16.10, 11.
(All to Christ: Jesus Paid It All)
Soon Your glory I shall see, for as Jesus rose again,
You will come to gather me to my home with You in heav’n.
Refrain v. 11
Make me know life’s way! Pleasures fill Your hand.
Fill my life with joy each day! Before Your face I stand.
Read Daniel 3.8-30; meditate on verses 23-25.
Preparation
1. What did God do for His Holy One?
2. How does being in His Presence affect us?
Meditation
If there was ever a time—and there isn’t—when we might think it not so bad to fudge on obedience, it’s when faced with the prospect of death because of our faith. How easy it would have been for Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-Nego to go along to get along and think they were doing so for some greater good.
But these men were not part-time believers. They didn’t trust in God only for a few things, leaving most of their lives to manage themselves. They were not sentimental about their faith, believing in God only when it felt like they should. And they weren’t merely pragmatic, using their faith only as needed and maybe trusting in things other than God for happiness in life.
Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-Nego, like Daniel, were full-bore, all out, no holds barred, tooth and claw, lay-down-my-life believers in God. And they were entirely and wholly obedient to His Word, even when standing firm in faith was neither convenient nor pleasant. In this, as well as in their “resurrection” from certain death, they point forward to Jesus, Who never sinned, never denied His trust in the Lord, never went along to get along, and allowed nothing other than His Father to direct and strengthen Him in His calling.
Daniel’s example and encouragement (Daniel 2) no doubt strengthened the faith and resolve of his friends, just as their faith no doubted encouraged Daniel (Daniel 4-6). The more we all believe God and obey His Word, the more we all will increase in Jesus and astonish the surrounding world. And the more certain we will be that, when Jesus returns, we will return to and with Him (Rev. 19).
Treasure Old and New: Matthew 13.52; Psalm 119.162
These three men, human beings—not Marvel superheroes, with pretend powers to climb buildings and fly—these three are the quintessential picture of Holy Spirit power in action, so focused on God, so intent upon pleasing Him, that nothing could dissuade them from following their King to the end.
Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-Nego are models of exemplary behavior in the face of extreme duress.
I want to be just as courageous, just as bold, and just as determined to follow Christ to the very end (Ps. 119.112).
The other thing about them that is wonderful is how the hand of God affected their persons.
They were amidst really terrible people, then thrown into a raging fire, yet protected by an Angel Whose form was “like the Son of God” (Dan. 3.25)—Jesus. And because they walked with Jesus through this terror an amazing thing happened:
-The fire had no power on their bodies
-The hair of their head was not singed
-Their clothes were not burned
-They did not even smell like smoke (Dan. 3.27).
I’m sure, in years past, we have all walked into a restaurant where there was smoking allowed and when you emerged you carried the aroma with you. Or sitting by a campfire, and the essence of the evening remained upon your clothing. Or grilling your dinner over burning coals, albeit delicious, yet you bore the telltale signs of your labors. It is almost impossible not to pick up the smell.
But our beloved friends in Babylon weren’t tainted by anything around them.
Not the culture, not the politics, not the godless people—nothing befouled them.
It happened for them. It can also happen for us.
But we need the whole-hearted approach to following God they had.
Indeed, “they were not part-time believers.”
Paul must’ve gotten great encouragement from reading about Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-Nego, for he exhibited the same courage as they, in the face of peril. As he said to his friends who were warning him of dangers ahead: “And see, now I go bound in the spirit to Jerusalem, not knowing the things that will happen to me there, except that the Holy Spirit testifies in every city, saying that chains and tribulations await me. But none of these things move me; nor do I count my life dear to myself; so that I may finish my race with joy, and the ministry which I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify to the gospel of the grace of God” (Acts 20.22-24).
And every martyr who has willingly given his life for the gospel—Shadrach, Meshach, Abed-Nego, Paul, and myriad others—has done it because of the love and courage and suffering of our Savior, Redeemer, King Jesus. He came to earth knowing what awaited Him, and yet He did it for us. Amazing love.
We follow in His footsteps, loving Him so much, that we willingly and boldly say to the world around us:
“Let it be known to you that we do not serve your gods, nor will we worship the gold image which you have set up” (Dan. 3.18). We serve a risen Savior Whose Spirit empowers and delivers us (Dan. 3.17; Jn. 14.1-4).
So untouched by the world that we won’t even smell like we’ve been here.
Reflection
1. What does it mean to be “untouched by the world”?
2. What can we do to keep ourselves from “smelling” like the world?
3. How will you prepare today to live “through the fire” of whatever comes your way?
Those who suffer for Christ, have his presence in their sufferings, even in the fiery furnace, and in the valley of the shadow of death. Nebuchadnezzar owns them for servants of the most high God; a God able to deliver them out of his hand. It is our God only is the consuming fire, Hebrews 12:29. Matthew Henry (1662-1714), Commentary on Daniel 3.19-27
Pray Psalm 16.1-9.
Praise God that He will raise you up at the last day. Rejoice in Him as the sum of all that is good. Call upon Him to shield and guide and strengthen you to obey and serve Him this day.
Sing Psalm 1
6.1-9.
(All to Christ: Jesus Paid It All)
Preserve me, O my God; I refuge seek in You.
You alone are all my good, my LORD and Savior true!
Refrain v. 11
Make me know life’s way! Pleasures fill Your hand.
Fill my life with joy each day! Before Your face I stand.
The saints within the earth, majestic in their day,
delight me with the worth of all they do and say.
Refrain
They endless tears shall weep who worship idols vain;
their ways I will not keep, nor speak their empty names.
Refrain
My portion and my cup are You, my Savior dear;
You help and hold me up and ever keep me near.
Refrain
I bless Your Name, O LORD; my mind instructs each night;
You teach me by Your Word and guide me in the right.
Refrain
You are ever with me, LORD; in You I shall not fall.
But rejoicing in Your Word, I abide within Your call.
Refrain
T. M. and Susie Moore
If you have found this meditation helpful, take a moment and give thanks to God. Then share what you learned with a friend. This is how the grace of God spreads (2 Cor. 4.15).
Other columns of interest this week: We continue reading excerpts from the book, Revived! in our Read Moore column. Why not listen in? Last week’s Crosfigell letter included a challenge to greater spiritual vision. And in our ReVision series, “Pray for Your Church”, we urged readers to pray that all things might be done for edification in the local church. And new in our bookstore, Let God Be True and Enjoying God, both free to download and share, and Ecclesiastes: A Matter of Perspective, also in free PDF format.
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Except as indicated, all Scriptures are taken from the New King James Version. © Copyright 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved. For sources of all quotations, see the weekly PDF of this study. All psalms for singing are from The Ailbe Psalter.
