092. Nebuchadnezzar Convicted Blesses God.

Nebuchadnezzar Convicted Blesses God.

Nebuchadnezzar’s Prayer.—Daniel 3:28-29.

In, the prayers of this monarch we have a striking instance of the difference of conviction and conversion. In this petition we see the king’s heart touched with the power of truth. He had beheld the firm faith, “that vital principle,” making his servants, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, calm under the most trying circumstances, serving a God of power and might, who had delivered them unharmed from the devouring flame. Captives, and far from the land of God and his ordinances, in the hands of a proud monarch, these three children of God had dared to be “singular;” they obeyed the Lord of heaven and earth rather than man, they felt not their bonds, their spirits knew no yoke, and fearless they stood before the king.

“He is a freeman whom the truth makes free, And all are slaves beside.”

They felt this, and “strong in trust, endured the fire.” Terrified as well as astonished at the miracle he witnessed, the king is convinced there is a power stronger than his own, a will mightier than man’s, and for a time retains these impressions. His prayer is impulsive; there is no humbling of that proud heart, no change in it; there is an acknowledgment of God’s power, but there is yet no passing from death unto life—no confession of sin. God has trials sore and deep before that proud will becomes subdued.