He is Able to Deliver Thee

As I continue reading through the Bible, it is such fun to rediscover stories that I learned as a child, and more fully understand the context and the situation, as well as the application. A little life experience makes a lot of difference!

One such story is of that famous trio, Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego. They boldly professed allegiance to the Lord only when Nebuchadnezzar commanded his people to bow to a god whom he had made.

After the king had made this idol, he invited all the leaders in the land to come to its dedication. At the ceremony, the king's herald delivered a stunning message: that anyone who did not bow to this gold image would face dire consequences.

Then the herald loudly proclaimed: "To you the command is given, O peoples, nations and men of every language, that at the moment you hear the sound of the horn, flute, lyre, trigon, psaltery, bagpipe and all kinds of music, you are to fall down and worship the golden image that Nebuchadnezzar the king has set up. But whoever does not fall down and worship shall immediately be cast into the midst of a furnace of blazing fire." Daniel 3:4-6

You can imagine the response. The people did as they were told - no one wanted to end up in that furnace!

Therefore at that time, when all the peoples heard the sound of the horn, flute, lyre, trigon, psaltery, bagpipe and all kinds of music, all the peoples, nations and men of every language fell down and worshiped the golden image that Nebuchadnezzar the king had set up. Daniel 3:7

Well, not everyone did as they were told. Certain people came forward to the king and brought charges against the Jews of the land who worshiped the One True God.

"There are certain Jews whom you have appointed over the administration of the province of Babylon, namely Shadrach, Meshach and Abed-nego. These men, O king, have disregarded you; they do not serve your gods or worship the golden image which you have set up." Daniel 3:12

The king responded as we would expect - he did not like this news at all and ordered that the famous trio be brought before him immediately.

He confronted them with what he considered their disobedience:

Nebuchadnezzar responded and said to them, "Is it true, Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego, that you do not serve my gods or worship the golden image that I have set up? Now if you are ready, at the moment you hear the sound of the horn, flute, lyre, trigon, psaltery and bagpipe and all kinds of music, to fall down and worship the image that I have made, very well But if you do not worship, you will immediately be cast into the midst of a furnace of blazing fire; and what god is there who can deliver you out of my hands?"
Daniel 3:14-15

What god is there? You can be sure that Shadrach, Meschach and Abednego had an answer to that one.

Shadrach, Meshach and Abed-nego replied to the king, "O Nebuchadnezzar, we do not need to give you an answer concerning this matter. 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 hand, O king." Daniel 3:16-17

That's the part I remember! They had faith that their God would deliver them from the hand of the king when he asked them to sin against God by worshiping an idol. But look what they say next:

"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." Daniel 3:18

That trio was firm in their conviction: even if God didn't deliver them out of the fiery furnace, they would live in obedience to Him and not break His commandments.

"I am the LORD your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of slavery. You shall have no other gods before Me. You shall not make for yourself an idol, or any likeness of what is in heaven above or on the earth beneath or in the water under the earth. You shall not worship them or serve them; for I, the LORD your God, am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers on the children, on the third and the fourth generations of those who hate Me, but showing lovingkindness to thousands, to those who love Me and keep My commandments." Exodus 20:2-6

Well that didn't sit to well with the king. He ordered his servants to heat the furnace SEVEN TIMES hotter than usual! He commanded 'valiant warriors' to tie up Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego and then cast them into the furnace of blazing fire.

The furnace was so hot that the flames KILLED the men who carried the tied-up trio to the fire! The tied-up trio fell into the burning furnace, and then the king got a big surprise.

Then Nebuchadnezzar the king was astounded and stood up in haste; he said to his high officials, "Was it not three men we cast bound into the midst of the fire?" They replied to the king, "Certainly, O king." He said, "Look! I see four men loosed and walking about in the midst of the fire without harm, and the appearance of the fourth is like a son of the gods!" Daniel 3:24-25

Can you imagine what the king was thinking? What is going on here?

Then Nebuchadnezzar came near to the door of the furnace of blazing fire; he responded and said, "Shadrach, Meshach and Abed-nego, come out, you servants of the Most High God, and come here!" Then Shadrach, Meshach and Abed-nego came out of the midst of the fire. The satraps, the prefects, the governors and the king's high officials gathered around and saw in regard to these men that the fire had no effect on the bodies of these men nor was the hair of their head singed, nor were their trousers damaged, nor had the smell of fire even come upon them. Daniel 3:26-27

Did you read that carefully? The fire had no effect on their bodies! Their hair wasn't even singed! Their trousers were not damaged! They didn't even smell of smoke!!! Here is when the king realizes what the only reasonable response is to praise the God who saved His men!

Nebuchadnezzar responded and said, "Blessed be the God of Shadrach, Meshach and Abed-nego, who has sent His angel and delivered His servants who put their trust in Him, violating the king's command, and yielded up their bodies so as not to serve or worship any god except their own God." Daniel 3:28

And then he goes even further - his tune has changed. No longer is there a fatal consequence for failing to bow to Nebuchadnezzar's molten image, but now the fatal consqequence comes from speaking against the God of heaven who is able to deliver!

"Therefore I make a decree that any people, nation or tongue that speaks anything offensive against the God of Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego shall be torn limb from limb and their houses reduced to a rubbish heap, inasmuch as there is no other god who is able to deliver in this way." Daniel 3:29

This story ends with God's deliverance of these men. And it is an amazing ending. But I am still thinking about the faith that this trio had before they were thrown in the furnace. 'Even if He does not deliver, we will be faithful.'

How does this apply to Your life? Are there situations or areas in your life where you have cried out to God for deliverance? He is able to deliver you. But even if He does not, I want to be faithful to the God who is able.

He is Able to Deliver Thee
Words by William Ogden

’Tis the grandest theme through the ages rung;
’Tis the grandest theme for a mortal tongue;
’Tis the grandest theme that the world e’er sung,
“Our God is able to deliver thee.”

Refrain
He is able to deliver thee,
He is able to deliver thee;
Though by sin oppressed, go to Him for rest;
“Our God is able to deliver thee.”

’Tis the grandest theme in the earth or main;
’Tis the grandest theme for a mortal strain;
’Tis the grandest theme, tell the world again,
“Our God is able to deliver thee.”

’Tis the grandest theme, let the tidings roll,
To the guilty heart, to the sinful soul;
Look to God in faith, He will make thee whole,
“Our God is able to deliver thee.”