I Prayed have prayed
Lord, Help us to trust You enough to abide in You and find peace in Your will for our life, regardless of what is looming in our future.
Reading Time: 3 minutes

Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego replied to the king, “… If we are thrown into the blazing furnace, the God we serve is able to save us from it, and He will rescue us from your hand, O king. But even if he does not, we want you to know, O king, that we will not serve your gods or worship the image of gold you have set up.” ~Daniel 3:17-18

The story that unfolds of Daniel’s three compatriots defies all logic. Enraged by the above response of Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego, the king commands the furnace to be turned up 7 times hotter than usual and mandates the three friends be bound and thrown into the fiery furnace. Due to the flames lapping from the intense fire, we learn that the soldiers who simply led Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego to the furnace, were killed in the process. Daniel 3:23 states, “these three men, firmly tied, fell into the blazing furnace.”

King Nebuchadzezzar “leaped to his feet in amazement” as he acknowledged 4 men walking around in the inferno, free from shackles, and unscathed. Four men, not three. Our God, who thwarts the plans of men, and has the final word, not only protected these men, but walked through the fire with them. The Bible records their bodies were unharmed, no part of their clothing was scorched and not a hint of the aroma of fire was found on them. As a result, King Nebuchadnezzar humbly chose to praise the One true and living God who Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego upheld as the only One worthy of devotion. The King professed:

“They trusted in God and defied the king’s command and were willing to give up their lives rather than serve or worship any god except their own God.” ~Daniel 3:28b

These three young men were fully persuaded that God could categorically save them. Nevertheless, they were fixed in their position of unabashed adherence to their Creator, despite impending and what would seem, certain death.

Do you believe God is able to do all things? Do you believe He can deliver you from whatever trial you are facing? Do you trust Him enough to abide in Him and find peace in His will for your life, regardless of what is looming in your future?

Never be afraid to trust an unknown future to a known God. ~Corrie ten Boom

When Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego were thrown into the furnace, the fire did not stop them from moving, for they were seen “walking around.” Actually, the fire was one of the streets they traveled to their destination. The comfort we have from Christ’s revealed truth is not that it teaches us freedom from sorrow but that it teaches us freedom through sorrow. ~George Matheson

We are assured of suffering in this life. No one is immune. The question remains: will you see times of testing and adversity as necessary paths on your journey to God’s final destination, which is incomprehensible?

Don’t miss the unequivocal fact that not just these three young men, but four individuals, were seen in the fiery furnace. God walked through the fire with them. He will walk through the fire with you and me. We put our faith in an enduring God who is ever-present. Let us stand firm, despite how we feel, despite how bleak the horizon may be, and decisively believe God can do all things. Even if the outcome is not as we would desire, let us trust our future to God, unswervingly.

It is the fires burning around us that release notes of trust in God and bring cheerful compliance with His will. ~Mrs. Charles Spurgeon

Susie Smith resides in Lincoln, Virginia with her husband, Jonathan, her four children: Caleb, Hadley, Malayna & Ezra, and their dog, Harleigh.  She loves: intimate conversations, walking with her friends, tea, dark chocolate (eaten daily), cooking, photography, hiking, traveling, playing cards, ping pong, playing Clark Griswold in the planning of family excursions, and making the most of any and every opportunity to spend time with her beloved family and amazing friends.  Graduating with a degree from James Madison University in Psychology and Special Education, Susie also has a keen interest in caring for individuals with disabilities.  Susie and Jonathan fervently seek ways to put their faith into action through his home building business as well as through local and global missions.  Susie is earnest about encouraging others to grow in their faith through the reading of God’s word, fellowship with other believers, and through prayer.  Most notably, Susie is a work in progress.  She struggles with anxiety, control issues, insecurities, comparisons, running late, and the like.  Yet, she believes wholeheartedly in a God who is able to transform every one of us by bringing light to our darkness and freedom through redemption.

You can visit her blog at: thesmithsjs.wordpress.com

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Robert Camp
June 8, 2020

I think it significant to note that the fourth person to walk with them was the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. Jacob was renamed Israel. So we should remember the Hebrew names of those three as well, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah. Just a thought.

5
    Susie Smith
    June 12, 2020

    Robert, thank you for sharing the Hebrew names of these young men with anyone who reads this. It is important for all of us to recall from where we originated, names included.
    Take Care,
    Susie Smith

      Robert Camp
      June 13, 2020

      Lord God, I pray that I have the courage of these men, when the time comes to pass through the fire.

Maynard Beck
June 8, 2020

Powerful article. Don’t know if you are aware of the connection between the story of the young men in the furnace and the battle of Dunkirk. Take a look at this article by George Will

http://jewishworldreview.com/cols/will072204.asp

2
    Susie Smith
    June 12, 2020

    Maynard, while I know an overview of the story of Dunkirk, I had never heard of this reference. Fascinating! Thank you for sharing this article.
    Take Care,
    Susie Smith

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