With Us in the Fire | Daniel 3
Is God alone worthy of our worship and devotion, even when he doesn’t rescue us?
Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego had firsthand experience of not being rescued. They were held as captives in a foreign land. In 605 BC, God had allowed their King Jehoiakim and the land of Judah to be overthrown by the powerful King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon. God did not step in and rescue them. And yet, in a pagan land far from home, God did not abandon them.
In Babylon, King Nebuchadnezzar erected a golden image ninety feet tall. He was not satisfied to worship this idol alone. He demanded that every person in his kingdom bow before it. And because he was king, everyone did…well, almost everyone. These three Jewish men—Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego—refused to bow.
King Nebuchadnezzar was furious! He called these men forward and put them to the test. “If you don’t bow, you’ll be thrown into a blazing furnace. Then what god will be able to rescue you from my hand?” he boasted.
Although they were facing a torturous, fiery death, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego told the king, “The God we serve is able to deliver us. But even if he does not, we will not serve your gods or worship your image of gold.” Their faith held. They believed God was all powerful. He was fully able to rescue them. But would he? Of this, they were not certain. Either way, however, God alone was worthy of their worship and devotion.
Their refusal to bow further incensed King Nebuchadnezzar. He ordered the furnace heated seven times hotter. He summoned his strongest soldiers to bind these three Jews and throw them into the blaze. The fire was so intense, it killed the soldiers who threw them in.
As Nebuchadnezzar peered into the furnace, he leaped to his feet in amazement. “Were not three men thrown into the fire? I see four men unbound and walking around. The fourth looks like a son of the gods.” Then he called, “Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, servants of the Most High God, come out!”
The three walked out. Not a hair was singed. They didn’t even smell of smoke.
“Praised be the God of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego,
who has sent his angel and rescued his servants!”[1]
King Nebuchadnezzar proclaimed.
I love this story, don’t you? We love it when God comes through in miraculous ways. We love it when God’s team wins. But more than the miracle, what moves the deepest part of my soul is the faith of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego. As captives in Babylon, they knew from experience—God doesn’t always rescue us. But even when he doesn’t, they still believed. He alone is God. He alone is worthy to be praised!
Whatever you and I are facing today, my friend, God is able. He can heal, protect, save, and deliver us. But even when he doesn’t, even when we find ourselves far from home in a foreign land, God is with us. He will never leave or forsake us. God did not keep Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego from the fiery furnace. But he was present with them in the fiery furnace. He is God Most High. He alone is worthy of our praise!
Dear Father God,
Whether you keep us from the fire,
Or walk with us in the fire,
You are God Most High!
You alone are worthy of our love, honor, and praise!
I pray especially for those in the fire today.
Strengthen them. Help them. Deliver them.
Most of all, may they sense your presence with them.
In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen.
[1] Daniel 3:28
