Sunday, February 2, 2020

Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego

By Ken G. Cooper


SHADRACH
Jerusalem sacked and razed to the ground
Homes that we had could no longer be found.
Taken into exile our future bleak,
We prayed to our God for safety to seek.

NEBUCHUDNEZZAR
 My army is strong: I am the proud king,
Once more the loud bells of victory ring.
History will Nebuchudnezzar name
As the mighty one of unchallenged fame.

MESHACH
We’re encouraged to work, and we will do our best,
And find in our faith renewed strength and rest.
For our God is with us and leads us along,
He is our home, and to Him we belong.

NEBUCHUDNEZZAR
My notice is drawn to the Hebrew slaves
They have their God and believe that He saves.
I see in them a spirit rare and pure,
Their understanding and wisdom is sure.

ABEDNEGO
Now Daniel rules with all under his wing
He agrees our promotion with the King.
We continue in prayer to guide our ways
But jealousy watched to trap us as slaves.

NEBUCHUDNEZZAR
I build me an image of purest gold
The biggest idol that was ever beheld.
I gather all from each part of my land,
And order: Worship the work of my hand.

SHADRACH
We hear of this order, hear music play,
But know in our hearts this not how to pray.
The threat of the furnace looms large and loud:
We stay true to God, don’t follow the crowd.

NEBUCHUDNEZZAR
 The Jews stand accused; they’ve not obeyed me,
Despite all I gave them and made them so free!
They will now burn in hell for this very thing!
How dare they choose God and not me the King!

MESHACH
We’re taken before him, given one chance,
But his evil threats will not change our stance.
We know our God is more pow’rful than he:
We will not bow down to idolatry!
NEBUCHUDNEZZAR
 Their words make me rage and stamp on the floor!
Heat up that furnace some seven times more!
Bind them up in their clothes, make sure they burn!
They’ll die in the furnace, all nations will learn!

ABEDNEGO
We’re thrown in the flames, but to us they’re not there.
All we can feel is GOD present and here.
The bindings fall off, we walk round quite free
We are untouched by what others could see.

NEBUCHUDNEZZAR
My rage turns to fear; I see them unharmed!
There is a fourth person! Makes me alarmed!
They’re all walking, unhurt, all very odd!
The form of the fourth is the Son of God!

SHADRACH
The heat of manic jealousy and rage
Is vanquished by Love at every stage.
There is no furnace, no flame or fire
When thoughts held with God lead ever higher.

NEBUCHUDNEZZAR
The Hebrews untouched and death do they cheat!
Yet my strongest men smitten by fierce heat!
Servants of the most high God, don’t dither,
Come out from the furnace, and come hither.

MESHACH
The king calls us forth, before him we stand,
We’ve proved our God and the feeling is grand!
We knew in our hearts that we were not wrong
And full faith in God leaves everyone strong.
NEBUCHUDNEZZAR
 No scorching, no burning, nor even smell!
Your God sent his angel, and all is well.
My word was changed by a higher decree,
There’s no other God than Almighty Thee!

ABEDNEGO
The king’s bold decree has new freedom won;
The power of our God known to everyone.
Now given promotion, God still our Guide;
All Babylon blessed, with Him at our side.

SHADRACH, MESHACH AND ABEDNEGO:
The Word of our God does stand evermore!
Our trust in His wisdom made us secure.
We know that in Spirit our lives stay untouched,
At one with the Father, with LOVE UNMATCHED.


See Daniel Chapter 3


Download a PDF of this poem

©Ken G Cooper 2020                         
kencooperpoetry.com                     
kengcooper@btinternet.com                                                       
Ken G Cooper Poetry You Tube

 

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