What Glenn Writes

In yesterday’s article, I referenced the story in Daniel where three Hebrews are thrown into a furnace for their faith and they did not burn.

The story is found in Daniel 3:13-27, where is states:

Furious with rage, Nebuchadnezzar summoned Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego. So these men were brought before the king, 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? Now when you hear the sound of the horn, flute, zither, lyre, harp, pipes 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?”

Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego replied to the king, “O 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 save us from it, and he will rescue us from your hand, O king. But even if he does not, we want you to know, O king, that we will not serve your gods or worship the image of gold you have set up.”

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 and commanded some of the strongest soldiers in his army to tie up Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego and throw them into the blazing furnace.

So these men, wearing their robes, trousers, turbans and other clothes, were bound and thrown into the blazing furnace. 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, and these three men, firmly tied, fell into the blazing furnace.

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, O king.”

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.”

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, 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.

To me, this is an amazing story of faith and a life fully given over to God. The three Hebrew men went into the furnace already dead to the world with their focus on God and were able to joyfully offer up their bodies as living sacrifices.

We find this direction in Romans 12:1.

Therefore, I urge you… in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God– this is your spiritual act of worship.

What happens when we can be fully given over to God, trusting in Him, dead to this world, but still living as a sacrifice to God? What happened to the three Hebrews?

Jesus literally met them in their crisis!

The only part I find hard to believe in this story is when King Nebuchadnezzar claims the three Hebrews were merely walking around in the fire with Jesus… I think they had to be dancing! I think they had to be dancing, shouting, and celebrating with Jesus Christ.

Wouldn’t you? Picture yourself about to be tossed into a fiery furnace and you feel absolutely no heat; you are calm and filled with peace; and a real plus to the whole situation is you are surviving in spite of your enemies… Now, to really top it all off, you are not only surviving, but God Himself is with you in the midst of the fire! Yes! I would be dancing!

What fiery furnace is causing you to sweat right now? What crisis in your life is causing you to heat up? What is bringing fear into your day?

Can you approach your crisis in the same way these three Hebrews approached the furnace? Can you be totally and completely given over to God in your situation, fully focused on Christ, and trusting in Him?

Join me in this prayer: “Lord, I stand before a fiery furnace. This crisis is a hot one for me and I am afraid. I know you are able to deliver me from this situation, but I am still afraid. Help my unbelief and strengthen me as your child. Even if I have to go through this ordeal and face more heat, I trust you will be with me as Your Word promises. Walk me through it, and let’s dance together.”

Can you pray this prayer? Contact me if you need some help.
 

Glenn Sasscer

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