THE FOURTH MAN

 THE FOURTH MAN

 

Around the Year with Emmet Fox

 

May 31

 

When Nebuchadnezzar sent out his decree

that everyone in his kingdom should bow down

and worship the golden image that he had erected,

there were three men who refused to obey.

These were Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego;

Hebrew officials in the province of Babylon.

Nebuchadnezzar called them before him,

and they bluntly told the King that their God

would deliver them from the fiery furnace

to which they would be consigned,

but even if God did not deliver them,

would still serve Him and Him alone.

Nebuchadnezzar had the three men

 thrust into the fiery furnace

and the heat was so intense

that it slew the guards who threw them in.

Then as he looked in upon the three faithful Hebrews,

Nebuchadnezzar was astonished to find

a fourth man walking in the flames with the other, three.

Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego

walked out of the fiery furnace

without blemish or scar.

So, it is when we hold steadfastly to God,

and give all power to Him.

He sends his messenger

to deliver us from our furnace of fear and frustration.

Then do we know

that nothing shall by any means harm us.

“Blessed be the God of Shadrach,

Meshach, and Abednego,

who hath sent his angel,

and delivered his servants

that trusted in him”

Daniel 3:28