Walking in the Midst of Fire

…the fire had not had any power over the bodies of those men. The hair of their heads was not singed, their cloaks were not harmed, and no smell of fire had come upon them

Daniel 3:27 (ESV)

Greetings to you and your family. I believe and trust that God is keeping you well. 

We are living in difficult times. As I write this devotional, I know of several friends who have lost their jobs, some colleagues have had to restructure, resize or even shut down their businesses. Many families now have to deal with the stress of reduced or lost incomes. I was thinking about all this while meditating on the story of the three Hebrew boys – Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego. Their experience in the burning furnace (Daniel 3) is a remarkable story because it teaches us much about God’s faithfulness and how we can survive and even thrive when faced with “the fires of life”.

I don’t know about you but I can still recall the last time I had the unfortunate experience of being burnt by (real) fire. Fortunately, it was a small burn - but it still hurt a lot! Even small burns can be painful and, the pain often lingers on for quite a while. This is why the story of the Hebrews boys is fascinating. It goes against what we experience in the natural.

Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego lived as exiles in Babylon under King Nebuchadnezzar. It was tough being an exile in a country whose culture, religion and governing systems were different from what they knew. Despite this, they remained true to their faith. They trusted and believed in God. When the King made it a rule to worship his image or be burnt alive (Dan 3:15), they choose to disobey him and face the consequences. They chose to believe that God would deliver them from the fire.

What made these boys stand out in their generation and what can we learn from them about living and walking in the “fires of life”?

Firstly – it was their faith in God. Their response to King Nebuchadnezzar shows this. According to Daniel 3:16-17,

Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego answered and said to the king, “O Nebuchadnezzar, we have no need to answer you in this matter. If this be so, our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the burning fiery furnace, and he will deliver us out of your hand, O king.

Daniel 3:16-17

The bible has numerous testimonies of God delivering His people. He never failed – not once. Shadrack, Meshach and Abednego were willing to defy the King because they believed in God who delivers. There is a notable difference between the Hebrew boys and Nebuchadnezzar’s soldiers who threw them into the fire. While both were exposed to the fiery furnace (heated 7 times over!) – the boys survived, the soldiers did not. God delivers those who trust in Him.

Secondly – they were alive to the presence of God. When Shadrach Meshach and Abednego were thrown into the furnace, a fourth person manifested right then in the midst of the fire (Dan 3:25). I believe this was Jesus. His name means saviour or deliverer. It is amazing that the Hebrew boys were seen with Jesus “unbound and walking” in the midst of the fire. This is a picture of freedom and peace. In the midst of the “fires of life”, it is often tempting to react with anger, frustration, worry, anxiety. However, the boys did none of this – instead they are free and at peace. When we are alive to the presence of Jesus, we can be at peace even in the midst of fiery furnaces. Jesus assures His disciples in John 16:33

I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.

John 16:33

How true! Friends – let us take heart and be strong. God has promised to be with us, to never fail us no matter what we are faced with (Hebrews 13:5).

When the Hebrew boys came out of the fire, they were not harmed in any way. The scripture says the fire had no power over them – it did not burn them or harm any part of their bodies. No smell of smoke was on them (Dan 3:27). No matter what we go through, God’s promise to us is that we will not be overwhelmed or consumed (Is 43:2). 

In the final part of this story, God is glorified by a pagan King and the Hebrew boys are promoted (Dan 3:28-30). What a testimony! My encouragement to you is to stand firm on God’s promises even in times of trouble and difficulty. He will be glorified and will come through for you in a mighty way.

May His grace and peace continue to be with you. Amen! 

QUESTIONS FOR MEDITATION/DISCUSSION

1.     What impresses you most about the story of Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego (Daniel 3)?

2.     Why do you think God did not put out the fire in the furnace?

3.     Based on this story, what would you say to a Christian who claims that sickness or trials or persecution are a result of sin or lack of faith?

4.     Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego were probably close friends. In what way does the faith of those around you hinder or help your faith?

PRAYER POINTS

• Pray for those who are struggling to cope with the effects of COVID – 19.
  

• Pray that as believers will stand firm in faith. That the “fires of life” will have no power over us and we will not be consumed or overwhelmed.