If
We Are Thrown Into The Blazing Furnace,
The
God
Whom
We Serve Is Able To Save Us.
Scripture
Daniel 3
8 But some of
the astrologers went to the king and informed on the Jews. 9 They
said to King Nebuchadnezzar, “Long live the king! 10 You
issued a decree requiring all the people to bow down and worship the
gold statue when they hear the sound of the horn, flute, zither,
lyre, harp, pipes, and other musical instruments. 11 That
decree also states that those who refuse to obey must be thrown into
a blazing furnace.
12 But
there are some Jews—Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego—whom you have
put in charge of the province of Babylon. They pay no attention to
you, Your Majesty. They refuse to serve your gods and do not worship
the gold statue you have set up.”
13 Then
Nebuchadnezzar flew into a rage and ordered that Shadrach, Meshach,
and Abednego be brought before him. When they were brought
in, 14 Nebuchadnezzar
said to them, “Is it true, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, that
you refuse to serve my gods or to worship the gold statue I have set
up?
15 I will
give you one more chance to bow down and worship the statue I have
made when you hear the sound of the musical instruments. But if you
refuse, you will be thrown immediately into the blazing furnace. And
then what god will be able to rescue you from my power?”
16 Shadrach,
Meshach, and Abednego replied, “O Nebuchadnezzar, we do not need to
defend ourselves before you. 17 If
we are thrown into the blazing furnace, the God whom we serve is able
to save us. He will rescue us from your power, Your Majesty. 18 But
even if he doesn’t, we want to make it clear to you, Your Majesty,
that we will never serve your gods or worship the gold statue you
have set up.”
The Blazing Furnace
19 Nebuchadnezzar
was so furious with Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego that his face
became distorted with rage. He commanded that the furnace be heated
seven times hotter than usual. 20 Then
he ordered some of the strongest men of his army to bind Shadrach,
Meshach, and Abednego and throw them into the blazing furnace.
21 So they
tied them up and threw them into the furnace, fully dressed in their
pants, turbans, robes, and other garments. 22 And
because the king, in his anger, had demanded such a hot fire in the
furnace, the flames killed the soldiers as they threw the three men
in. 23 So
Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, securely tied, fell into the roaring
flames.
24 But
suddenly, Nebuchadnezzar jumped up in amazement and exclaimed to his
advisers, “Didn’t we tie up three men and throw them into the
furnace?”
“Yes, Your Majesty,
we certainly did,” they replied.
25 “Look!”
Nebuchadnezzar shouted. “I see four men, unbound, walking around in
the fire unharmed! And the fourth looks like a god!”
26 Then
Nebuchadnezzar came as close as he could to the door of the flaming
furnace and shouted: “Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, servants of
the Most High God, come out! Come here!”
So Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego stepped out of the fire. 27 Then
the high officers, officials, governors, and advisers crowded around
them and saw that the fire had not touched them. Not a hair on their
heads was singed, and their clothing was not scorched. They didn’t
even smell of smoke!
Observation
God
put Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego and their friend Daniel in a
culture where God was not the center of worship.
It
was a culture not too different from our own today.
I
love the strong declaration of their faith in verses 17 and 18, “If
we are thrown into the blazing furnace, the God whom we serve is able
to save us. He will rescue us from your power, Your Majesty.
But even if he doesn’t, we want to make it clear to
you, Your Majesty, that we will never serve your gods or worship the
gold statue you have set up.”
Let's
pray and ask God to give us the guts to stand up and live godly lives
no matter what the cost!
Application
I
want the faith and boldness of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego!
How
about you?
Prayer
Heavenly
Father, give me the faith and boldness of Shadrach, Meshach, and
Abednego! Don't let me be a spiritual wimp! Help me to walk by faith
and not by sight. (2 Corinthians 5:7) Don't ever let me grow tired of
these wonderful stories that I read in Your Word. I know that You
have a lesson for me today from this story. Give me the strength to
live out this day in a way that pleases You. You are mighty God!
Nothing is too hard for You!
Daily
Bible Reading: Daniel 3,4; Psalms 81; Revelation 17
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