Daniel 3 -- Through The Fire

The fiery furnace scene – caused by the king who’d encountered God and even acknowledged God, but who listened to others and tried to make everyone worship only his golden idol. 

 

Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego wouldn’t cave in to pressure.  The king had said that death would be immediate if anyone failed to comply, yet for some reason he offered them a second chance.  Their reply showed great boldness for God and great faith:  “We don’t need to defend ourselves to you.  If you throw us into the blazing furnace, the God we serve is able to save us from the furnace.  He will save us from your power, O king.  But even if God does not save us, we want you, O king, to know this:  We will not serve your god or worship the gold statue you have set up.”

 

They didn’t presume upon God to save them – that was God’s choice.  But they acknowledged that He could.  Their awesome faith gave them comfort and confidence in the midst of trial.

 

Of course, they were thrown into the furnace.  The ropes binding them were burned off, but nothing else.  They didn’t even smell like smoke!  And when the king looked into the furnace, he saw four men standing there.  One of them was the pre-incarnate Christ!

 

I liked what my commentary said – “True faith doesn’t look for loopholes; it simply obeys God and knows that He will do what is best.  Faith rests on commands and promises, not on arguments and explanations.”

 

Father, help me to have that kind of faith in the fiery trials that Satan brings my way.  Help me never to doubt that You will take care of me.

 

Your Brother In Christ,

Gary Ford