At times we feel that we are in deep trouble and that the future is bleak. As individuals and as members of a community we may have to go through testing times and we are full of fear. Let us have courage. It would be hard to imagine a situation more difficult than the one in which Azariah of the first reading found himself.

Azariah was one of three young Jewish men who refused to worship the idol set up by King Nebuchadnezzer in the temple in Jerusalem. As a result they were thrown into an immensely hot furnace. By every definition they were people in dire trouble. God came to their aid because they realised that their ancestors had not been as faithful to God as they should have been. They had been humbled and purified.

What does Azariah say? He proceeds in three stages. Firstly he urges God to be faithful to his promises to protect the people of Israel and to make them a great people.

Secondly he describes how low they have fallen and how helpless they are. They are leaderless and have no support of any kind. He promises a change of attitude and renewed faithfulness and loyalty to God.

Finally Azariah begs for the simple mercy of forgiveness. He does not pretend that his people can earn God's forgiveness. He asks for a favour and almost naively reminds God that He can win a great name for Himself by such a generous act.