Based on Daniel 3
First came the proclamation…
Then came the punishment…
The order ~ bow before the golden image that King Nebuchadnezzar erected
The refusal ~ three devout men boldly faced the consequences for their loyalty to God
The punishment ~ a barbaric death in a fiery furnace
King Nebuchadnezzar had an inflated perspective of himself. The golden monument he erected was a tangible image of his own ego. Having no regard for the beliefs and commitments of others he ordered everyone to bow before the golden image when they heard the king’s musicians begin to play. But his was a law that three young Jewish men could not obey. For they were committed to another ~ the one true and faithful God ~ Yahweh. To bow a knee to a pagan monument would have been to turn their back on the only King they truly served.
When King Nebuchadnezzar discovered their disobedience he fell into a fit of rage. He set the furnace temperature hot enough to match his flaming temper. Then he chose a handful of his bravest warriors to bind the young men and cast them into the fiery furnace.
Imagine the terror…
Imagine the faith…
“O King Nebuchadnezzar, we have no need to answer you in this matter. If that is the case, our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the burning fiery furnace, and He will deliver us from your hand, O king. But if not, let it be known to you, O king, that we do not serve your gods, nor will we worship the gold image which you have set up.” Daniel 3:16b-18
Steadfast…even in the face of uncertainty.
A bold proclamation of faith rang through the air as Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-Nego were thrust into a sea of angry flames. Engulfed in smoke and hot embers their faith elevated them above their circumstances as they walked unscathed, untouched by the revenge of an angry king.
And there…in the midst of the fiery furnace One appeared. They did not have to brave the furnace alone. He never left them nor forsook them. True to God’s beautiful nature, He returned the loyalty they so fervently proclaimed only moments before. The King of Heaven joined them in the furnace. God protected His own from the hot flames. Not only were they immune to the fire, but Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-Nego did not smell of smoke when they were pulled from the furnace either.
How faithful is our God!
The fiery furnace teaches us great lessons:
Regardless – Without knowing the outcome of their circumstances the young Jewish men determined that God’s will was
their will regardlessof the consequences.
Revelation – When the fire threatened to consume them they stood upon the rock of their faith. God not only protected
them, but He chose that difficult event to revealHimself to them in the fiery furnace.
Showcase – When the heat of life is turned up seven times and we wear our faith with steadfast determination, we
showcaseour faith before all of heaven. Such are the opportunities to make King Jesus marvel.
Shalom – When we find ourselves in God’s perfect will, no matter what life throws our way, we can rest in His shalom (peace, harmony, wholeness, completeness, prosperity, welfare and tranquility). Is there any better place to be?
My friends, I know many of you are suffering in a hot furnace as I write this. Some are dealing with more heat than others. But God wants you to know that He sees. He knows. He has a plan for you. He longs to prosper you and give you a future and a hope. Like the young Jewish men proclaimed their faith before a pagan king, proclaim your faith before your challenge. Set your eyes on Jesus not looking to the left or to the right. As your gaze is rightly fixed your problems will fall from view and peace that passes all understanding with guard your heart and mind.
Now may the Father of Lights, the precious Prince of Peace, and the comfort of the Holy Counselor guide you and keep you all of the faithful days of your life.
The Lord is near to all who call upon Him, To all who call upon Him in truth. Psalm 145:18
For He Himself is our peace. Ephesians 2:14a
When Jesus heard it, He marveled, and said to those who followed, “Assuredly, I say to you, I have not found such great faith, not even in Israel.” Matthew 8:10
