“17 If it be so, our God whom we serve is able to rescue us from the furnace of blazing fire; [and He will rescue us from your hand, O king. 18 But even if He does not, let it be known to you, O king, that we are not going to serve your gods nor worship the golden statue that you have set up.” 19 Then Nebuchadnezzar was filled with wrath, and his facial expression was changed toward Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-nego. He answered by giving orders to heat the furnace seven times more than it was usually heated. 20 And he ordered certain valiant warriors who were in his army to tie up Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-nego in order to throw them into the furnace of blazing fire. 21 Then these men were tied up in their trousers, their coats, their caps, and their other clothes, and were thrown into the middle of the furnace of blazing fire. 22 For this reason, because the king’s command was harsh and the furnace had been made extremely hot, the flame of the fire killed those men who took up Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-nego. 23 But these three men, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-nego, fell into the middle of the furnace of blazing fire still tied up. 24 Then Nebuchadnezzar the king was astounded and stood up quickly; he said to his counselors, “Was it not three men that we threw bound into the middle of the fire?” They replied to the king, “Absolutely, O king.” 25 He responded, “Look! I see four men untied and walking about in the middle of the fire unharmed, and the appearance of the fourth is like a son of the gods!” 26 Then Nebuchadnezzar came near to the door of the furnace of blazing fire; he said, “Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-nego, come out, you servants of the Most High God, and come here!” Then Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-nego came out of the middle of the fire. (Daniels 3:17-26 NASB)
This is your Monday Short meditation. As we were discussing the faith of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-nego in one of Bible Study classes this week, Pastor M. R. King commented that the three Jewish boys in Babylon captivity stood firm in their faith regardless of the fate that they faced because they knew that our God was able. While I said, “When life ties you up, don’t tire! Keep the faith,” Pastor made it plain with three words that created a vivid picture in our minds, “Ten Toes Down!” His point should be well taken by you and me. In all the days of your life, starting this Monday, keep ten toes down! Stand firm in your faith regardless of what you will face this week. Be blessed!
Committed to the climb,
Mark L. King
Ten toes down! What a way to start a new day. Amen.
Applicable for every day that we are blessed to see! Thank you for your response June!