“Then Nebuchadnezzar the king was astonished, and rose up in haste, and spake, and said unto his counsellors, Did not we cast three men bound into the midst of the fire? They answered and said unto the king, True, O king. He answered and said, Lo, I see four men loose, walking in the midst of the fire, and they have no hurt; and the form of the fourth is like the Son of God,” Daniel 3:24-25, KJV.
Focal Passage: Daniel 3
This passage of scripture speaks volumes to many. There have been times when people, including myself, have found themselves in situations that seem virtually impossible to get out of. And then I look at this scripture realizing that God is with us all along. It’s so awesome to see how the Holy Spirit lifts the words off of the pages allowing us to see that when Isaiah spoke of Immanuel (God is with us) the book of Daniel allows it to be seen with natural eyes, “and the form of the fourth is like the Son of God.” Now, how would any of them know what the Son of God or “like” the Son of God would look like? The answer is clearly the Holy Spirit of God. The Spirit of God just like the Son of God has always been there ever since the beginning of the Earth.
In the preceding chapter the king, Nebuchadnezzar had a dream that troubled his spirit. He called for the magicians, astrologers, sorcerers, and Chaldeans to relay the interpretation of this dream for him. After finding that they could not relay the dream and the interpretation to him, Nebuchadnezzar made a decree to have all of the “wise” men slain. This word reached Daniel who later came forth (after seeking the Lord) and revealed to the king his dream as well as the interpretation. Daniel receives this vision and interpretation in humbleness, knowing the light dwells within God. “Blessed be the name of God for ever and ever: for wisdom and might are his,” Daniel 2:20, KJV. Even Nebuchadnezzar understands the greatness of our Lord, “The king answered unto Daniel, and said, Of a truth it is, that your God is a God of gods, and a Lord of kings, and a revealer of secrets, seeing thou couldest reveal this secret,” Daniel 2:47, KJV.
What amazes me about this story is that even after the awesome display of power by God the king goes on to make an image of gold. With this golden image, Nebuchadnezzar expected the people to fall down and worship it at the sound of all kinds of music. What was this about? It’s strange, but just as it is stated in the book of Ecclesiastes, there’s nothing new under the sun. The same thing happens today.
Let us recall for a moment the day of September 11, 2001. Recall how people banded together. During this time of history, I saw signs everywhere reverencing God. Video clips were shown over weeks of time of people praying to God and worshipping Him. Now, I’m not sure if it was out of pure fear or actual respectful reverence. But there was a turn from wicked ways…if only for a moment. People knew that they needed God. More recently, the devastation in Haiti has caused awareness to the need for prayer. We are banding together to help one another, displaying the greatest commandment of them all: Love.
What happens when these catastrophes become a distant memory? Do we then return to thinking we have everything under control? Do we then turn back to life as usual putting other gods before the One true and living God? Many expect Him to be loyal, but where is the loyalty to Him?
We may face trials and “fiery furnaces” in life, but we must keep the faith that Immanuel is always there in the midst.
Additional Reference: Lamentations 3:24-26
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