Remember his mercies
We are reduced, O Lord, beyond any other nation, brought low everywhere in the world this day because of our sins … but with contrite heart and humble spirit let us be received. As though we were burnt offerings of ten thousand lambs, let our sacrifice be in your presence today … and now we follow you with our whole heart.
– From Azariah’s prayer in Daniel 3 (NAB – see footnote)
In anger his master handed him over to the torturers, until he could pay back his whole debt.
 – From Matthew 18
In Nebuchadnezzar’s furnace, Azariah’s prayer reached out beyond the flames. “When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned; the flames will not set you ablaze” (Isaiah 43).
Shadrach, Meschach and Abednego (Azariah) know how low their nation has fallen. Captured, then born again in Babylonia, even their names have changed. But they will not, cannot bow to the golden statue. They pray three times each day toward Jerusalem. Now, caught in the act, unrepentant, they are offered up, ready for their holocaust.
Let us be ten thousand lambs, O Lord.
The white-hot fire is prepared. The prayers are on their lips. Nebuchadnezzar goes righteously to sleep.
But now! He rose “in haste.” Looking into the furnace he said, “I see four men unbound and unhurt, walking in the fire, and the fourth looks like a son of God.”
The gospel preacher cries out, “Can I get a witness!” And old king Neb complies.
Jesus remembered. “Where two or three are gathered,” he said, “there I am among them.”
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At your next prayer meeting, your next worship service, at the next mass, let the fire rise around you. Listen to cruel oppressors cry out cursing at you. Cover your face with your hands to put off the flames. Be ten thousand lambs.
Let the Lord come.
Or take the other text today, and fill your mind with the fate of the selfish debtor in Jesus’ story. Waste away in your prison cell and know its loneliness. Wonder what has happened to your loved ones. Will God relent? Will the fire end? What will happen to me now? Tomorrow, will it ever come? Oh, angel, cover me with your wings!
Lord, remember your mercies. “Good and upright is the Lord. He guides the humble to justice” (Psalm 25).
From the fire comes new life.
Sweet Meschach and Abednego! Can I get a witness?
Lord, I know that those who trust in you cannot be put to shame. Let me follow you with my whole heart, let me seek your face and fear you. Deal with me in your kindness and great mercy and deliver me, Lord, in accord with your wonders. Let my life bring glory to your name.
In Daniel 3, the Septuagint (Greek Old Testament) includes this prayer between verses 23 and 24. Between the 7th and 10th centuries, the Masoretic Text of the Hebrew bible excluded several books and fragments, including this prayer. This became the basis for their exclusion from the Protestant bible.
http://www.davesandel.net/category/lent-easter-devotions-2019/
http://www.christiancounselingservice.com/archived_devotions.php?article_id=1771
