| DAY 3 |
Praise to the God of Shadrach, Meshach, and
Abednego! He sent his angel to rescue his servants.
O HOLY SIGHT!
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What do a man who would turn away from faith in Christ, a Jewish opera composer, and a Unitarian minister have in common? They’re all part of the history of the carol “O Holy Night.” In 1843, Placide Cappeau wrote the lyrics, Adolphe Adam wrote the music, and in 1855 John Sullivan Dwight crafted the English version. An unlikely trio behind the song that declares, “Christ is the Lord… His power and glory evermore proclaim.”
It was also unlikely that King Nebuchadnezzar would proclaim God’s power and praise Him—but he did. The monarch had a problem. Three God-believing men, forced into Babylonian captivity and service, refused to “worship the gold statue [the king had] set up” (DANIEL 3:12). Though the king threatened to kill the men, they said they didn’t need to “defend” themselves for God would “rescue” them (VV. 16–17). God did miraculously save the three from the fiery furnace (VV. 26–27). At the sight of the spared trio, the king declared, “Praise to the God of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego!” (V. 28).
Cappeau and the king both pointed to God’s power and glory. And although they clearly caught a glimpse of the truth, it doesn’t appear that either came to lasting faith in Him. This Christmas, as people catch sight of Jesus and His story, let’s share the good news so that others might believe and proclaim, “Christ is the Lord!”
TOM FELTEN
How can you proclaim Jesus’ power and glory this Christmas?
How have you seen non-Christians “proclaim” God’s reality?
Dear Jesus, help me proclaim Your power and glory!
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TODAY’S SCRIPTURE | DANIEL 3:24–30
24 But suddenly, Nebuchadnezzar jumped up in amazement and exclaimed to his advisers, “Didn’t we tie up three men and throw them into the furnace?” “Yes, Your Majesty, we certainly did,” they replied.
25 “Look!” Nebuchadnezzar shouted. “I see four men, unbound, walking around in the fire unharmed! And the fourth looks like a god!”
26 Then Nebuchadnezzar came as close as he could to the door of the flaming furnace and shouted: “Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, servants of the Most High God, come out! Come here!” So Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego stepped out of the fire.
27 Then the high officers, officials, governors, and advisers crowded around them and saw that the fire had not touched them. Not a hair on their heads was singed, and their clothing was not scorched. They didn’t even smell of smoke!
28 Then Nebuchadnezzar said, “Praise to the God of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego! He sent his angel to rescue his servants who trusted in him. They defied the king’s command and were willing to die rather than serve or worship any god except their own God.
29 Therefore, I make this decree: If any people, whatever their race or nation or language, speak a word against the God of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, they will be torn limb from limb, and their houses will be turned into heaps of rubble. There is no other god who can rescue like this!”
30 Then the king promoted Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego to even higher positions in the province of Babylon.
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