Changed by a fiery furnace

One of my favorite Old Testament bible stories is the story of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego.  The events are told in the book of Daniel, chapter 3, and begins with King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon, who has a gigantic golden statue created in his honor.  The people of the kingdom were told to worship the statue.  Any who did not, would be thrown into a blazing furnace. 

Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego were faithful followers of the one God, and word came back to the king that they would not bow down.  When the king called them to task for this, they said “If we are thrown into the blazing furnace, our God is able to deliver us from it. But even if he does not, we will not serve your gods or worship the image of gold you have set up.” (Daniel 3: 17-18)

The king had the men thrown into the fiery furnace, but when he looked into the furnace, he saw not only Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, but also a fourth man, all unharmed by the fire and he realized that their God had intervened.

The king ordered that the furnace be opened and out came three men, not even a hair on their head singed. The king was amazed and declared: “Praise be to your God, 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.  Therefore I decree that any 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.” (Daniel 3: 28-29). 

What do I love about the story?  I admire the faithfulness of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, men with strong faith, standing firm for the right. 

I am grateful we have a God we can trust.  Whatever “fire” we face- God will stand beside us- and that gives me hope and courage. 

I am encouraged that the three men’s faith and the faithfulness of God- changed the mind of a king. 

But there is another message in this story.  After God protected the three men, though King Nebuchadnezzar changed his mind about their God, the king’s temperament and character did not change.  The king who would throw a man in the furnace for not worshiping a golden image, became a king who would cut a man to pieces and destroy his home, if they criticized God.  I pray that for us, in our encounters with God, we become a changed people, changed from a people of selfish words, fiery furnaces and threats and into a people of love, kindness, generosity and peace.