June 16

Then Nebuchadnezzar spake, and said, Blessed be the God of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-nego, who hath sent his angel and delivered his servants that trusted in him. - Daniel 3:28.

LET us notice the effect of their obedience. How did it end? In promoting the glory of the Master whom they served, and the interest of the religion which they professed. When the people of God suffer in the discharge of their duty they glorify God, and show how he can deliver those who trust in him. It was thus that his power was displayed in the case before us. He could have delivered them from the hands of their enemies; but that deliverance would not have been so glorious; and what admiration would this excite! and what inquiries would be made! and how would the people talk of them, and point them out as the faithful servants of the true God! and how would they “take hold of the skirt of him that is a Jew,” saying, “We will go with you, for we perceive God is with you.” And how was God glorified in the confession of Nebuchadnezzar! It resulted in their own honour and advantage.

They did not remain long in the furnace; but those were golden moments. Oh, what peace and joy in God did they feel, and what holy resolutions did they form, while in the furnace? And when they came out, how would they be followed and pointed out as those who preferred the furnace to the worship of false gods! What effect would it give to their solitary Warning and precepts, and to their example! But this was not all the advantage which accrued to them. Nebuchadnezzar elevated them to places of trust, and honour, and emolument; and who would not have done the same? They who would serve their God in such circumstances would faithfully serve their king. When Constantius, the father of Constantine the Great, wished to know the character of those about him, he gave commandment that they should sacrifice to his gods. Most of them very readily complied, and worshipped his gods to the dishonour of their own; but there were some who resisted and proved firm to their religion and their gods. The former were banished from the court; but the latter were advanced to the offices of state, as those who were worthy the confidence of the sovereign. This will bring to our recollection the words of the Saviour:-“He that is ashamed of me, and of my words, in this adulterous and sinful generation, of him also shall the Son of man be ashamed when he cometh in the glory of his Father with the holy angels.”

Let us be thankful for the biography of the Scriptures; and especially that we have the example of so many good men set before us, who “through faith and patience inherit the promises.” It is a lamentable fact, that there are many who have the form of godliness without its power,-men who make a profession but are without the principles of religion: it is, therefore, well that we have examples of faithfulness and devotedness to God amidst trials and difficulties; these bright examples are worthy of imitation, and should often be held up to view to stimulate us to exertion and to animate us to the conflict. The grace of God is as needful for God’s servants now. It is happy for us that we live under a paternal government, and are not exposed to the fury and caprice of tyrants. Education has done much to remove prejudice and extirpate bigotry; but the world is still the same, and Christians “are not of this world;” in it there are many things they must renounce, and company they must reject.

If we do not act with them, we are against them, and our lives will condemn them. Well, if it be not possible for us to pass through the world without opposition and enemies, it becomes us to obey God rather than man. While infidels ridicule the people of God, and the enemies of Christ misrepresent their conduct, there is that in the religion of Christ which will support us. “Blessed is the man that endureth temptation; for when he is tried he shall receive a crown of life.” Let us carry this with us through life, that the religion of Jesus will prepare us for every event; and while others sink into perdition, the true Christian man will rise to immortality.

God will ever support those who stand by him, and, as Henry says, “There may be some who lose from their religion, but none ever lose by it;” or, as Jesus says, “There is no man who hath left father and mother, or brethren, or sisters, or house, or lands, for my sake and the gospel, who shall not receive a hundred-fold in this life, and, in the world to come, life everlasting.” “Be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee a crown of life.” Amen.