Deeper Reflection
Tribulation – particularly, tribulations under tyrants – is a key discipleship motif in Daniel. When we go through tribulations, our need is divine deliverance. The Aramaic word for “deliver” – shezab – occurs nine times in Daniel. They are found only in Daniel 3 – Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego in the blazing furnace (vv.15, 17, 28, 29), and Daniel 6 – Daniel in the lions’ den (Dan 6:14, 16, 20, 27). In these two faith stories, deliverance is paired with trust in God: “put their trust in God” (v.28) and “trusted in his God” (Dan 6:23).The testimony of the faith of Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego shows three dimensions of trusting in God for deliverance from tribulation (vv.17-18). Trust in God that He can deliver: God is “able to deliver us”. In this, we trust in the power of God. Trust in God that He will deliver: “He will deliver us.” In this, we trust in the compassion of God. God delivered Daniel from troubles twice out of His “compassion” (Dan 1:9; 2:18). Trust in God when He doesn’t deliver: “If He does not [deliver].” In this, we trust in the wisdom of God (Dan 7-12). Trusting in God in this way enables us to become people “who have insight” from God (Dan 11:35; 12:10).The God whom Daniel’s three friends “trusted in” was “the God of Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego” (v.28). The God whom Daniel “trusted in” was “the God of Daniel” (Dan 6:23, 26). The expression “the God of ” points to the relationship that these men had with God. Trust in God is established in a relationship with God.