The fiery furnace

A cruel king once ruled over Babylon;
Nebuchadnezzar was his name.
He set up an idolatrous image of gold,
To bear witness of his fame.

He called together each and every
Person of rank in the land;
And for the inauguration of the image,
The king brought in a festive band.

But he hadn't planned a fun party -
No, he had something else in mind:
He had a message for the world,
And it wasn't very kind…

"Hear, oh inhabitants of the nations",
"Hearken", a herald cried aloud.
"When you hear the music play",
"You ought to worship with the crowd."

"Yes, for poor and rich, young and old"
"The king's command is the same":
"Kneel down and worship his image";
"Or die painfully in a hellish flame."

So when the band began to play,
'T was quite a sorry sight…
All those mouths kissing the ground -
In the eyes of God, it wasn't right!

Everyone fell down, everyone except
Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego.
Because these Jews refused to worship;
They were each of them God's hero.

Wicked Chaldeans accused them,
And before the king they were brought.
The terrible crime they were guilty of:
Their souls could not be bought.

Nebuchadnezzar stood up, and spoke:
"What is this I hear about you?"
"Do you not worship or serve my gods?"
"I demand an answer, is it true?"

Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego
Knew their situation was dire.
If they gave the king a truthful answer,
They'd be thrown into the fire!

"Oh king, out of your hand it may be"
"Our God will deliver us."
"But if not, we won't worship your gods" -
The men boldly replied to him thus.

The king, furious, gave the command:
"Into the fire, away with them!"
"And turn up the heat, would you",
"That'll teach these headstrong men."

The three friends were led away, bound,
To a fiery furnace exceeding hot.
Even when staring death in the face;
They still trusted in their God.

Into the fiery flames they were thrown,
Under Nebuchadnezzar's watchful eye;
But then the unexpected happened,
And the king gave an astonished cry:

"I see four men walking in the fire",
"They're unharmed, come and see!"
"The form of the fourth is like an angel" -
"How, how can this possibly be?"

Then Nebuchadnezzar let them go
And he blessed the true and living God;
Who is able to deliver His servants,
Those who entrust Him with their lot.

- - -

When God brings us through the fire
He makes sure we won't be burned…
God is with us, and He is always faithful -
That's the lesson we have learned!