fast day six: Daniel 3

This is officially my favorite story in the Bible. I love it from start to finish. The first half sets the stage right up to when Nebuchadnezzar lays it out, “Is it true, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, that you refuse to serve my gods or to worship the gold statue I have set up? I will give you one more chance to bow down and worship the statue... But if you refuse, you will be thrown immediately into the blazing furnace. And then what god will be able to rescue you from my power?” What a throw down.

But the best part comes next. “O Nebuchadnezzar, we do not need to defend ourselves before you. If we are thrown into the blazing furnace, the God whom we serve is able to save us. He will rescue us from your power, Your Majesty. But even if he doesn’t, we want to make it clear to you, Your Majesty, that we will never serve your gods or worship the gold statue you have set up.” Wow. They threw down too.

So what was the difference? Everything the king said was a fact.
Fact: He was the most powerful man in the world.
Fact: They were guilty of breaking his law.
Fact: The punishment was death.
Fact: The fire was hot enough to kill a nearby guard.
Fact: There were plenty more guards to make sure they went in.
Fact: They were either going to bow, or they were going to burn.
Period.

But, everything that the three Hebrews said was the truth. And Sometimes the facts don't line up with the truth.

Sometimes the fact is your marriage is on the ropes, but the truth is Christ makes all things new.

Sometimes the fact is that your wayward friend won't return your phone calls, but the truth is a sparrow doesn't fall to the ground without His notice.

Sometimes the fact is the test came back positive, but the truth is Jesus carried your disease to the cross on his blood-striped back.

Sometimes the money will run out before the bills stop coming this month, but the truth is your Father owns the cattle on a thousand hills.

Sometimes the truth is, if you won't bow, you won't burn.

I will always love the picture of the three friends rejoicing, unbound and unsinged, in the flames with the fourth man, the Son of God, there with them. Lord, when I am faced with hard facts, let me brashly trust you to be there with me. Let me always remember what Nebuchadnezzar finally realized, "There is no other god who can rescue like this!”