Daniel 3:16-18 Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego replied to him, “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.”
Faith is courage to face the fiery furnaces of life, believing full well God can rescue you, but still loving and serving Him if He does not. These three young men must have been terrified. They watched the servants preparing them for the furnace perish from the heat. They knew it would be painful and they could surely meet their death. However, they also knew the alternative was to turn their backs on the God they loved and worship an idol created by an ungodly king. The choice to them was obvious – meet God through their death in the flames, or meet God in the flames through His rescue. The king witnessed the three bound men go into the furnace. What he saw within the flames was four men walking around, unbound and free from the flames surrounding them. When he called them out, they were not singed by the flames, nor did they even smell of smoke. As a result, the King worshipped God. How do you face the furnaces of your life? Are you willing to go down in the flames proclaiming faith in God? Jesus is willing to stand in the furnace with you. How do you emerge from the furnaces of life? Do you let the heat and the flames from life's struggle singe your faith and leave you with a scent of bitterness? How we endure the heat of life’s furnaces, and how we emerge, will lead others to worship our God, or ridicule His name – the choice is ours.
Father, The furnace is hot and I am fearful. However, I trust You to protect me and I know Jesus will meet in the flames. Perish or rescue, I am Yours! I love You! Amen!
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