COME WHAT MAY (2)

*WISDOM FOR TODAY.*

*COME WHAT MAY (2)*

*Scripture Treasure.*

Dan 3: 16-20

*Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, answered and said to the king, O Nebuchadnezzar, we are not careful to answer thee in this matter.*

*If it be so, our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the burning fiery furnace, and he will deliver us out of thine hand, O king.*

*But if not, be it known unto thee, O king, that we will not serve thy gods, nor worship the golden image which thou hast set up.*

*Then was Nebuchadnezzar full of fury, and the form of his visage was changed against Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego: therefore he spake, and commanded that they should heat the furnace one seven times more than it was wont to be heated.*

*And he commanded the most mighty men that were in his army to bind Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, and to cast them into the burning fiery furnace.*

*Insight and Highlight.*

A refusal to compromise with man is the acceptance to connect with God.

*Scripture Commentaries.*

The kingdom of Babylon was a kingdom very hostile to God.

The book of Daniel is a book of dreams and revelation. It is so futuristic that it offers a unique and compelling take on the complex lives of kings and their characters.

The kingdom had severe penalties in place for those who would not serve their gods.

Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego were caught in the web of Nebuchadnezzar, the king who *".....made an image of gold,....."*

He commanded the people saying at *".....what time ye hear the sound of the cornet, flute, harp, sackbut, psaltery, dulcimer, and all kinds of musick, ye fall down and worship the golden image that Nebuchadnezzar the king hath set up:*

*And whoso falleth not down and worshippeth shall the same hour be cast into the midst of a burning fiery furnace. nterpretations,* Dan 3:1-6.

They found some Jews *".....Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego;....."*who defied the king's order. The report against them to the king was that*"...... *they serve not thy gods, nor worship the golden image which thou hast set up.*

Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego tell the king they would not mince words but to tell the king as it is.

They said to the king in Dan 3: 17-18 *If it be so, our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the burning fiery furnace, and he will deliver us out of thine hand, O king.*

*But if not, be it known unto thee, O king, that we will not serve thy gods, nor worship the golden image which thou hast set up.*

The three Hebrew boys made a statement of unwavering commitment demonstrating God's ability to save them from any threat or imminent danger.

Their statement can be expressed through Daniel's action, that come what may, they would acknowledge God's power over the king's life-threatening ultimatum of the fiery furnace.

They were not afraid to tell the king they refused to compromise their faith, lives, and safety in the face of adversity.

They were men whom Rev 12:11b refers to at those who do not love their life and renounce their faith even when faced with death. John says they are the only ones who can overcome Satan by the blood of the lamb.

Rev 12:10 says *And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony; and they loved not their lives unto the death.*

Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego overcame king Nebuchadnezzar, who ordered them to be thrown into the fiery furnace, but they saw four men instead of three in the fire.

The appearance of the fourth man finds expressing in the words of Isaiah 43:2

*When thou passest through the waters, I will be with thee; and through the rivers, they shall not overflow thee: when thou walkest through the fire, thou shalt not be burned; neither shall the flame kindle upon thee.*

Before you look forward to what God would say or do, He may be looking for what you would say or do.

You will never walk alone when you take God along your walk.

*Remorse corner.*

The fourth man is Jesus. Nebuchadnezzar says *".......and the form of the fourth is like the Son of God.* Dan 3:25.

He comes through for us.

*Call to Word action.*

The fourth man finds expression in Psalm 46:1 *God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.*

*The Christian clarion duty.*

The story teaches us that God comes through for us.

*Prayer.*

Lord, come through for me in my time of trouble in Jesus name.

Good morning all, and be blessed as you go today.

God bless you.

Shalom.