In the Fire

Ahhh, summer. Vacations, ice cream, grilling out, ice cream, family time, and did I mention ice cream? But if the temperatures where you live are anything like the ones we have, better eat that ice cream fast. We’ve had multiple days in the nineties, even breaking a record on June 12^th with a high of 98 degrees Fahrenheit. How appropriate that in the midst of the sweltering heat, my Bible reading landed on three guys who walked around in blazing heat themselves. Literally.

Remember Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-nego? These Jewish exiles, whose story is found in the Old Testament book of Daniel, lived in Babylon. They found favor with King Nebuchadnezzar, who appointed them to a high office in his kingdom. But when the king erected a golden image and commanded everyone to worship the image, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-nego refused.

Enraged, the king brought the men before him. He told them unless they obeyed, they would be cast into a furnace of blazing fire, “… and what god is there who can deliver you out of my hands?” (Daniel 3:15). Listen to their reply: “If it be so, our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the furnace of blazing fire; and He will deliver us out of your hand, O king. But even if He does not, let it be known to you, O king, that we are not going to serve your gods or worship the golden image that you have set up” (vv. 17-18).

King Nebuchadnezzar ordered his warriors to bind the three men and cast them into the blazing fire. Then the king watched, suddenly thunderstruck. Four men walked about in the fire, unharmed, the fourth “like a son of the gods!” (v. 25). The king went to the furnace door and called for Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-nego. The fire had not burned their bodies, their clothes, or even a hair on their heads. When the king saw this, he blessed the God of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-nego, and promoted the men to high positions.

I love so many things in this account, but what I take the most comfort from is the presence of God in the fire. He could have delivered Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-nego without being there with them. But He didn’t. He chose to walk beside the men through the flames until they had safely passed through.  

He does the same for us today. As we walk through fiery trials, He is with us every step of the way. Deuteronomy 31:6 proclaims: “Be strong and courageous, do not be afraid or tremble at them, for the LORD your God is the one who goes with you. He will not fail you or forsake you.” God doesn’t leave us alone to face struggles in our lives. He is with us to strengthen, protect, and see us safely through to the other side.

The next time we face the heat of battle, we can take comfort in His presence. He is with us in the fire.

Now it’s your turn! When have you seen God’s presence with you in a trial you’ve faced?