able.

this morning i was reading in the book of Daniel about the story of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego being thrown into the fiery furnace. i have read and heard this story many times over the years, but the Lord really struck me hard with something about this passage today.

prior to the three of these men being thrown into the furnace, they were confronted by King Nebuchadnezzar about their lack of desire to fall and worship his gods. he made a decree in all the province that whenever any music is played that all the people must bow down and worship the false gods of the kingdom. these three refused to do so. in response the king ordered that they be thrown into the furnace (which was heated 7 times hotter than normal). he asked them who would be able to save them from his hand now. their response reads as follows:

¹⁶ Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego replied to him, “King Nebuchadnezzar, we do not need to defend ourselves before you in this matter. ¹⁷ If we are thrown into the blazing furnace, the God we serve is able to deliver us from it, and he will deliver us from Your Majesty’s hand. ¹⁸ But even if he does not, we want you to know, Your Majesty, that we will not serve your gods or worship the image of gold you have set up." [Daniel 3:16-18]

they said that God is able. they did not say that God will save them, but rather He is able to save them. meaning: God would make a decision on what would bring Him the most glory. and the three of these men were ok with that. and they spoke with so much confidence. they loved the Lord more than anything and they would be satisfied with His decision regarding their lives. and i believe they understood the concept generations before regarding the Apostle Paul's words in Philippians 1:21 where he says, "For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain." meaning: if i live, it is all for Christ; and if i die, it is all for Christ.

regardless of what happens in my life, i want God to get all the glory. not daniel (as in me, the writer; not Daniel from the Bible). and i think part of the reason that these three men were able to say this is because they were obeying the word of the Lord. they knew what He called them to. and they wanted to uphold that. and thats a direct reflection of the love that each of these men had for Him.

i leave you with these two passages from Philippians:

"Only let your manner of life be worthy of the gospel of Christ, so that whether I come and see you or am absent, I may hear of you that you are standing firm in one spirit, with one mind striving side by side for the faith of the gospel." Philippians 1:27

"that you may be blameless and innocent, children of God without blemish in the midst of a crooked and twisted generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world," Philippians 2:15

read Daniel 3 simultaneously with these two passages and see the connection that the Lord made. so neat.