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The three Hebrew children of Daniel 3 who had to face the

great wave of idolatry may also be regarded as representative

of a small gathering of faithful sufferers, who were prepared to

accept death rather than bow to the golden image. They had

been “subject unto ... the powers that be”; they had bowed

under the discipline of God in their circumstances, but now

that Nebuchadnezzar had usurped the supreme place to which

God alone has the right, they were justified in saying, “we will

not serve thy gods, nor worship the golden image”.

Great as this test was, each one was comforted that he had

not to stand alone, for he had two brethren supporting him,

and he would greatly value their fellowship. While supporting

one another, their God mightily supported them. He did not

avert the persecution; He did not make the fire less fierce—

indeed, it was intensified seven times—but He gave them His

presence, and the victory! They came through in triumph, and

became a world-wide testimony. Such faithful saints, yielding

their bodies for the glory of God, become an encouragement

to thousands of their brethren.

Another circle of three whom Jesus loved is mentioned in John

11. It was a household, but beautiful features of a local

gathering were present, for it was composed of friends of

Jesus, and He was given the supreme place in their affections.

Then came the day of bereavement, when the only

brother was taken. Would the Lord allow that circle to be

broken up? Would He not come to them? They could not

understand how it was that, after He knew of the death of

Lazarus, “he abode two days still in the same place where he

was”. Yet it was all “for the glory of God, that the Son of God

might be glorified thereby”.

In this day of apparent calamity, we would be assured that the

sorrow and waiting time is to yield glory to God, and that the

experience of the love and power of the Son of God will result