If you knew the smallest compromise of your faith would avert certain death—especially a horrifically painful one—what would you do? Where would find the strength to stand, the resolve to refuse to bend the knee? These are the questions three young men faced in the cultic, totalitarian system of ancient Babylon. Daniel 3 and the fiery furnace is usually thought of in triumphant terms—and no doubt, an astonishing thing happens. But we can forget there was a counting of the cost before the rescue. This is a kind of snapshot in time of that math, a courageous calculus still being done by brothers and sisters all over the world that trusts: even in the fire, the King is present. Listen to the preceding sermon here.

When all I feel is fear,
When pressured by the peer,
When everything’s unclear—
Be with me, be with me.

When consequence is small,
Or choice demands my all,
Lord, please don’t let me fall—
Be with me, be with me.

Oh King of the fire, God of the flame,
If I live or die, your glory the same.
All that I ask, my only plea:
Be with me, be with me.

When hesitant within
And heat is on my skin,
With courage wearing thin—
Be with me, be with me.

Oh King of the fire, God of the flame,
If I live or die, your glory the same.
All that I ask, my only plea:

Be with me in the hour
When I would you betray;
Be my strength not to cower,
But boldly stand and say:

I will not bow down,
Though I be one of few;
I will not bow down
To anyone but you.

I will not bow down,
Though I be one of few;
I will not bow down
To anyone but you.

Oh King of the fire, God of the flame,
If I live or die, your glory the same.
All that I ask, my only plea:
Be with me, be with me.
Be with me, be with me.

Musicians: Jim Richards, bass/vocals; Jon Gross, engineer; Lisa Goben, keys; Luke Morton, guitar/vocals; Oliver Lawford, drums.

Lyrics and Music: Luke Morton, 2021

Recorded live on Sunday, October 31 2021

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Trinity Songworks is the music of Trinity Church Seattle