Three, bound, and down? Four, up, and walking!

“No other GOD can deliver like this!”

King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon reckoned that no god, not even the GOD of Israel, could save Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, if they failed to bow before his golden image a second time.  “…who is the god who will deliver you from my hands?” (Daniel 3:15) Nebuchadnezzar assumed a godlike status, acting as judge, jury, executioner, and potential savior, implying in V15 that salvation was only found in him. To obtain this salvation, one needed to be obedient to the command. Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego were not impressed and boldly declared that their GOD could deliver them from the fiery furnace, however, if He chose otherwise, they still would not bow before the golden image. (Daniel 3:16-18) Enraged, the king had three faithful children of GOD thrown into the fire. According to human reasoning, the only logical conclusion would be that they experience an excruciating death. However, as the king observed the furnace, he was stunned. The men he cast in were three, bound, and down. The men he saw, were four, up, and walking. Nebuchadnezzar initially presented himself as the only one who could save them from the fire. Yet, his power to do so, would fall upon his command. He could have ordered that they be spared from the furnace, and thus be saved. But once in, he had no power to deliver them. Jehovah, however, was able! GOD could have saved them before the fire, but rather chose to save them, while in the fire. Facing, what seemed to be an impossible situation, GOD again provided a way of escape for those who had a desire to remain faithful, even unto death.

Amazed at what he saw, the king walked near the mouth of the furnace and said, “Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, servants of the Most High GOD, come out and come here.” (Daniel 3:26) All those called to bow before the golden image and had obeyed, now observed these men who refused to bow, after walking out of the fire. Scripture identifies the fire as having “…no power on their bodies…” “…. the hair of their head was not singed, nor were their garments affected, and the smell of fire was not on them.” Servant of the Most High GOD need not fear what man can do. We serve One who does not deliver in part, but in full.

Nebuchadnezzar, quickly noted, and to his credit, accepted, that the deliverance provided by Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego’s GOD, was like no other. (Daniel 3:29)