Another In The Fire
How can we shift our “what ifs” to “even ifs” in light of God’s sovereignty? Let’s take a look at the response of three Jewish men in the face of extreme adversity.
Take a moment to read these verses in Daniel, meditate, journal, and reflect.
10 Your Majesty has issued a decree that everyone who hears the sound of the horn, flute, zither, lyre, harp, pipe and all kinds of music must fall down and worship the image of gold, 11 and that whoever does not fall down and worship will be thrown into a blazing furnace. 12 But there are some Jews whom you have set over the affairs of the province of Babylon—Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego—who pay no attention to you, Your Majesty. They neither serve your gods nor worship the image of gold you have set up.” 13 Furious with rage, Nebuchadnezzar summoned Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego. So these men were brought before the king, 14 and Nebuchadnezzar said to them, “Is it true, Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego, that you do not serve my gods or worship the image of gold I have set up? 15 Now when you hear the sound of the horn, flute, zither, lyre, harp, pipe and all kinds of music, if you are ready to fall down and worship the image I made, very good. But if you do not worship it, you will be thrown immediately into a blazing furnace. Then what god will be able to rescue you from my hand?” 16 Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego replied to him, “King Nebuchadnezzar, we do not need to defend ourselves before you in this matter. 17 If we are thrown into the blazing furnace, the God we serve is able to deliver us from it, and he will deliver us from Your Majesty’s hand. 18 But even if he does not, we want you to know, Your Majesty, that we will not serve your gods or worship the image of gold you have set up.” 19 Then Nebuchadnezzar was furious with Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego, and his attitude toward them changed. He ordered the furnace heated seven times hotter than usual 20 and commanded some of the strongest soldiers in his army to tie up Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego and throw them into the blazing furnace. 21 So these men, wearing their robes, trousers, turbans and other clothes, were bound and thrown into the blazing furnace. 22 The king’s command was so urgent and the furnace so hot that the flames of the fire killed the soldiers who took up Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego, 23 and these three men, firmly tied, fell into the blazing furnace. 24 Then King Nebuchadnezzar leaped to his feet in amazement and asked his advisers, “Weren’t there three men that we tied up and threw into the fire?” They replied, “Certainly, Your Majesty.” 25 He said, “Look! I see four men walking around in the fire, unbound and unharmed, and the fourth looks like a son of the gods.” 26 Nebuchadnezzar then approached the opening of the blazing furnace and shouted, “Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego, servants of the Most High God, come out! Come here!” So Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego came out of the fire, 27 and the satraps, prefects, governors and royal advisers crowded around them. They saw that the fire had not harmed their bodies, nor was a hair of their heads singed; their robes were not scorched, and there was no smell of fire on them. 28 Then Nebuchadnezzar said, “Praise be to the God of Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego, who has sent his angel and rescued his servants! They trusted in him 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. 29 Therefore I decree that the people of any nation or language who say anything against the God of Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego be cut into pieces and their houses be turned into piles of rubble, for no other god can save in this way.” 30 Then the king promoted Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego in the province of Babylon.
Daniel 3:10-30
This story in Daniel was during King Nebuchadnezzar’s reign. He had issued a decree that everyone in his kingdom were to fall down and worship the gold image, and if they didn’t, they would be thrown into a blazing furnace. Three men— Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego, refused to serve Nebuchadnezzar’s gods nor worship the image of gold he set up, so they were brought before the king. Enraged by their disobedience, Nebuchadnezzar summoned them to the fire, saying “Then what god will be able to rescue you from my hand?” (v. 15). Their response was, “King Nebuchadnezzar, we do not need to defend ourselves before you in this matter. If we are thrown into the blazing furnace, the God we serve is able to deliver us from it, and he will deliver us from Your Majesty’s hand. But even if he does not, we want you to know, Your Majesty, that we will not serve your gods or worship the image of gold you have set up” (v. 16-18).
So often we are caught up in the “what ifs” of life, and our response to the unknown or challenges leaves us wondering “what if” this or that happens...what will I do? Will I be okay? What if we are on lockdown for another month? What if my job or internship this summer gets cancelled?
We see in this story that their response to adversity was different. Their response could have been “what if” we burn in the flames, but instead they said, even if I burn in the flames, our God is able and even if He doesn’t, we will not worship your gods. This heart posture changed the entire narrative for them, and I think it can change ours as well. I believe it can be one of the most liberating and freeing changes we can make when it comes to approaching the uncertainties in life.
Enraged by their response and defiance, Nebuchadnezzar ordered the furnace to be heated up 7 times hotter than usual, ordered the men to be bound and chained by the strongest soldiers, and thrown into the fire. The fire was so hot, the soldiers burned up and the faithful men fell into the fire. Nebuchadnezzar and those watching saw four men, alive and walking in the fire. The fire had not harmed the, nor was there smell of fire on any of them. In fact, there were four people in the fire, displaying God’s miraculous and supernatural power for all to see.
As a result of this miraculous event, Nebuchadnezzar said “Praise be to the God of Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego, who has sent his angel and rescued his servants! They trusted in him 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” (v.28). Their bold faith in God’s ability to save them, their radical commitment to serving God and nothing else, and their witness, led to Nebuchadnezzar’s declaration of God’s might. God used the faith of these men to soften the king’s heart and to bring glory to His name.
Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego were not guaranteed deliverance, but their hearts were postured in a way that said, even if the worst happens, I will still worship my God, and nothing else.
What ifs lead to fear.
Even ifs lead to faith.
Reflection Question(s): How can you posture your heart today to say, “even if the worst happens”, my God is sovereign, and I will bow to no other idols, but Him? Do you see that fourth person standing in the fire with you (v. 25)? Do you see that He is sympathizing with you, has suffered for you, and if everything else fails, He is enough for you? Do you know the depth of His love for you? Spend some time praying to taste and see His presence with you. Pray for faith like these men—especially in the face of adversity and uncertainty.
Habakkuk 3:17-18
17 Though the fig tree should not blossom,
nor fruit be on the vines,
the produce of the olive fail
and the fields yield no food,
the flock be cut off from the fold
and there be no herd in the stalls,
18 yet I will rejoice in the Lord;
I will take joy in the God of my salvation.
Today’s Worship Song: Another in the Fire — Hillsong UNITED
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zmNc0L7Ac5c
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/track/5PmHmU5AaBy9ld3bdQkD96?si=hcBsEFUfTSS50n-3By4SlQ
Apple Music: https://music.apple.com/us/album/another-in-the-fire-live/1455150156?i=1455150477
Please continue to send prayer requests my way! If you have any questions about what you read today, or just want to chat, my email is: blrich1399@gmail.com
With Love,
Brooke
