[143]. A Message From A Poem – In The Furnace And The Lions’ Den

[143]. A MESSAGE FROM A POEM – IN THE FURNACE AND THE LIONS’ DEN

This poem is the telling of two stories in Daniel, one of Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego in the blazing furnace, and the other of Daniel in the lion’s den.

Both stories testify to the goodness of God, and both are examples of brave men who stood for the truth. Among Christians today there are too many jellyfish who don’t take a stand for the Lord. They compromise with the world – {{Romans 12:2 “and DO NOT BE CONFORMED TO THIS WORLD, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect.”}}

I remember a chorus from Sunday School: “Dare to be a Daniel; Dare to stand alone. Dare to have a purpose firm, and dare to make it known.”

We ought to be filled with admiration for those 4 men who are the subject of this poem and endeavour to emulate them helped by God’s grace. Daniel has an oblique reference here – {{Hebrews 11:33 “who by faith conquered kingdoms, performed acts of righteousness, obtained promises, SHUT THE MOUTHS OF LIONS”}}

None of us like to think of persecution and even worse, to stand as a Christian and face death. That is what is happening to many at this time in Africa –Sudan, Nigeria, the Congo and there are more. These courageous men and women when they enter heaven are given a martyr’s crown. {{Revelation 2:10 “Do not fear what you are about to suffer. Behold, the devil is about to cast some of you into prison that you may be tested, and you will have tribulation ten days. BE FAITHFUL UNTIL DEATH, AND I WILL GIVE YOU THE CROWN OF LIFE.”}} The martyr’s crown – the Crown of Life.

When John Huss, the martyr, was brought forth to be burned, they put a paper over his head, on which were pictured three devils, and the title, "heresiarch." (I think that means arch heretic). When he saw it, he said, "My Lord Jesus Christ, for my sake, did wear a crown of thorns: why should not I, therefore, for His sake, wear this ignominious crown?"

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IN THE FURNACE AND THE LIONS’ DEN

An image with gold arrayed,

on the plain of Dura was finished.

Its brilliance the sun displayed,

Nebuchadnezzar’s proud heart not diminished.

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The herald loudly proclaimed

To all the provincial officials,

That now the king had commanded

His kingdom’s worship, or else his furnace kills.

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At what time the pipes should sound,

Or, lyre, flute, zither, harp and horn,

Every person all around

Will bow and worship, and must not look forlorn.

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Bow and worship the image!

Prostrate yourselves, you people, so low!

Three beheld not its visage.

They were Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego.

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Three godly men were taken,

And hurled into the blistering heat.

They there were not forsaken;

Unharmed, with not a hair singed from head to feet.

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Their deaths the king was denied.

Living and well, they walked in the flames.

Four, not three identified -

Who but the living Son of God, fire tames!

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The king acknowledged that sight,

As he stood there in wonder aghast.

There was One greater in might!

Jehovah was He, who had kept the three fast.

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Daniel’s life was distinguished,

In conduct of government affairs.

His position established

By God, who had proven He wondrously cares.

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Evil tried to entrap him

With one devious plan of deceit;

In his prayer, ensnare him,

And through his godly conduct, sought his defeat.

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Daniel, for his faithfulness -

His trust in God had strongly grown;

Wrongly judged for wilfulness,

Into the lion’s den was duly thrown.

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Beasts of prey, they prowled around;

Stomachs, through hunger demanding food.

Mouths, the angels’ power bound,

So that to eat, they were in no mood.

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God had come to his rescue,

And exposed those accusers as well,

Whose bones the lions did chew,

While Darius decreed God’s power to tell.

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Three brave, young men were willing

For the sake of Jehovah to die.

Their faith in God not failing;

He alone, in life or death, would satisfy.

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Daniel would not compromise

By fear, his prayerful testimony.

Nor his God would he despise,

By shutting windows, in inconsistency.

These faithful men have spoken,

Of a walk approved before the world.

Their trust could not be broken,

Though evil, against them, the enemy hurled.

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Is God our chief desire?

Is our witness as faithful as theirs?

Do we need to aim higher?

Do our life and walk need to ascend the stairs?

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12 th & 13 th August, 1997 R E Ferguson 7-9-7-11 ABAB