This morning I read the book of Daniel, when Daniel’s friends were thrown in the fiery furnace, because they would not worship false gods. Why does God make us walk through the difficult times? Why doesn’t he just save us? Being a Christian will not always be comfortable. We may go through difficult times, that are way out of our comfort zone. These will be the times when God’s glory may be shown brightly to others. God can take the worst thing, and turn it into something good.
Only worship God
Daniel’s friends faced an angry king. The king ordered them to worship a gold statue or be thrown immediately into a fiery furnace. They refused to follow the King’s orders. They would only worship God.
Then Nebuchadnezzar in his rage and fury commanded to bring Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego. Then they brought these men before the king.
Nebuchadnezzar spake and said unto them, Is it true, O Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, do not ye serve my gods, nor worship the golden image which I have set up?
—Daniel 3:13-14 King James Version (KJV)
Remain steadfast in your faith
The king asked who will save them from the fiery furnace? Daniel’s friends: Shadrach, Meshach and Abed-Nego said that they do not owe him an explanation, they only answer to God. They said God is able to save them from the fiery furnace. They said that God is able to save them from the King. Standing before their death, they told their King that God could save them from him. That is steadfast faith.
Now if you are ready at the time you hear the sound of the horn, flute, harp, lyre, and psaltery, in symphony with all kinds of music, and you fall down and worship the image which I have made, good! But if you do not worship, you shall be cast immediately into the midst of a burning fiery furnace. And who is the god who will deliver you from my hands?”
Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-Nego answered and said to the king, “O Nebuchadnezzar, we have no need to answer you in this matter. If that is the case, our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the burning fiery furnace, and He will deliver us from your hand, O king.
—Daniel 3:15-17 (NKJV)
Let God’s will be done
Even if God chooses not to save them, they still will not worship false gods. They are honoring God, whatever God plans for them.
But if not, let it be known to you, O king, that we do not serve your gods, nor will we worship the gold image which you have set up.”
—Daniel 3:18 (NKJV)
Be Relentless In Your Faith
The king was furious. He turned up the heat as Daniel’s friends walked into the fiery furnace, fully planning to do God’s will, even if it meant death. The guards died immediately when exposed to the excessive heat. Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-Nego walked into the fire. They faithfully walked into a fire so they would not dishonor God.
Therefore, because the king’s command was urgent, and the furnace exceedingly hot, the flame of the fire killed those men who took up Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-Nego. And these three men, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-Nego, fell down bound into the midst of the burning fiery furnace.
—Daniel 3:22-23 (NKJV)
You Are Not Alone
Instead of avoiding the entire furnace situation, Jesus walked with them and protected them through the fiery furnace. When we are going through a hard time, we are not alone. God is with us. God is walking with us or carrying us. God is protecting us.
“Look!” he answered, “I see four men loose, walking in the midst of the fire; and they are not hurt, and the form of the fourth is like the Son of God.”
—Daniel 3:25 (NKJV)
God Fights Our Battles
When we are faithful, God fights our battles. These men walked through a fire that immediately killed the guard. The fire had no power over these men. God protected every hair on their heads. Daniel’s friends walked out of the fiery furnace. Their hair was not singed. Their clothes were not burnt. They did not smell of fire.
And the satraps, administrators, governors, and the king’s counselors gathered together, and they saw these men on whose bodies the fire had no power; the hair of their head was not singed nor were their garments affected, and the smell of fire was not on them.
—Daniel 3:27 (NKJV)
God Changes Hearts
The king turned up the fire for these men and sent them to death. They did not die. The king recognized the miracle. The king acknowledged the power of God. The king makes a decree that anyone who speaks against God will cut into pieces and their houses burnt down. He praises God saying that no other God delivers like this. God changed the heart of the King.
Therefore I make a decree that any people, nation, or language which speaks anything amiss against the God of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-Nego shall be cut in pieces, and their houses shall be made an ash heap; because there is no other God who can deliver like this.”
—Daniel 3:29 (NKJV)
God can turn anything around. When I look at the world now, we need help from the Lord. Keep praying and stay faithful!
Sing Your Praises
Yes I Will by Vertical Worship
Embrace This Beautiful Life 