In The Fire

Read: Daniel 3

Observe:

King Nebuchadnezzar had set up a huge golden statue for his people to bow down and worship. If anyone refuses to bow down and worship, the person would be thrown into the blazing furnace. It seems that he had a purpose to unify all religions and get his people to have a common belief. To ensure the people submitted to his idea, he would punish those who do not conform. Most would quietly obey the King but not for Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego. They were subsequently arrested for openly defying the King.

When Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego were summoned before King Nebuchadnezzar, they shared that God would deliver them from harm. Interestingly, they also shared that if God doesn’t deliver them from harm, they wouldn’t bow down or worship any other gods. They didn’t doubt God’s ability to save. Whether to save them or not is God’s prerogative. They had already decided to obey and worship the only true God of Israel. Many believed in God for signs and miracles. “Of course God will rescue his people because He loves us” or “I have sacrificed so much for God, surely He will not ignore my prayers”, many will argue. True faith in God doesn’t unwavered even though the person isn't blessed with gifts, miracles, riches, promotions or titles. If our faith is only strengthened and assured through blessings, it will easily be weakened and broken by trials of fire in life. When our faith can weather through any fire or storms in life, it shall be like gold.

Next King Nebuchadnezzar ordered his soldiers to throw Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego in the blazing furnace as they refused to bow down to his gods and worship. Before throwing them into the fire, King Nebuchadnezzar gave instructions to heat the furnace 7 times hotter than usual. The furnace was so hot that the soldiers who were taking Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego to the furnace were killed by the flames. Perhaps King Nebuchadnezzar’s anger at that moment was like the furnace - Rising in anger and burning anything that comes close to him.

When Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego are thrown into the blazing furnace, King Nebuchadnezzar can see that there are four persons walking around unharm in the furnace. Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego were not taken out of the fire but remained in the fire. I think the fire that Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego were in was not the fire coming from the furnace. It could be the fire from God. Like the burning bush witnessed by Moses. It felt like God’s Presence descended upon the fiery furnace and his Presence overcame the fire. His Presence is like the fire that doesn’t consume the bush, the person or any physical thing but protects and nourishes the physical being. God’s fire consumed and destroyed the ropes that bound them. Therefore Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego could walk around unharmed and unbounded. Similarly God’s fire can break any bondages in our lives.

Not only God’s Presence is in the furnace, the fourth person was with them. The fourth person is likely to be Jesus whom King Nebuchadnezzar described as the Son of God. Jesus is our Eternal Morning Star and He displays the glory and light as God. Jesus came down to the furnace and was among them in fellowship, a prelude to his coming as a man and fellowship among men. Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego were able to walk around the blazing furnace unharmed and unbounded because they had God’s presence. They didn’t immediately come out of the furnace because they were enjoying the fellowship with Jesus.

Apply & Do:

I have decided to worship and obey the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. Even though I may not be blessed with great riches or titles in life, I still believe in God, the Father, Jesus the Son and the Holy Spirit.

Prayer:

Consume my heart and soul with your Presence O Lord. I want to worship, adore and fellowship with you in your Presence. May my faith withstand the fire and the flame of trials and tribulations.

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