Deeper Reflection
Shadrach, Mishael and Abednego countered Nebuchadnezzar’s theological challenge, “What god is there who can deliver you out of my hands?” (v.15), with their theological conviction, “Our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the furnace of blazing fire” (v.17a). In this crisis, there is a need – the need for deliverance. But the need for deliverance is not the centre of the crisis. The centre is God – “Our God”.What is the theological significance of “Our God”? “Our God” reflects our covenant relationship with God, in which God is our God and we are God’s people (Exo 6:6-7; Jer 31:33). And in this covenant relationship with God is the covenant commitment of God to us. When God is committed to us, it means God is faithful to us. First things first. The first thing in the crisis of the three Judahite youths is not the ability of God to deliver them. It is God is committed and faithful to them to deliver them. And God’s faithful commitment assures us of the willingness of God to deliver us: “He will deliver us” (v.17b). This is the theological significance of “Our God”. Our covenant relationship with God is a two-way thing and so is the covenant commitment. Thus, it is “Our God whom we serve”. As God’s bondservants, we serve Him by following and doing His will.God is not only “able to” and “will” deliver us, but He Himself is our salvation: “God is my salvation” – and for this, “I will trust and not be afraid” (Isa 12:2).