SHADRACH, MESHACH, AND ABEDNEGO Four in the Furnace
SEVERAL YEARS after the Israelites were taken into exile, King Nebuchadnezzar erected a golden statue of himself and decreed that everyone in his kingdom would bow to the ground and worship his statue. Anyone who disobeyed this order would be thrown into a blazing furnace. But three Israelites—Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego—refused to worship the idol. They witnessed to the king about their faith in God and their belief that God could deliver them even from the burning flames. Their defiance angered King Nebuchadnezzar, who did not hesitate to order them thrown into the sizzling-hot furnace.
It’s likely these three zealous believers had never experienced burning pain. The same cannot be said for many people whose physical conditions cause burning pain throughout their bodies. Helen’s diabetic neuropathy sends such burning sensations into her feet and legs that even the touch of a bed sheet is unbearable. Bobby’s juvenile arthritis causes extreme inflammatory joint pain, keeping him from school and play. Molly loved serving on missions trips to Romania before the extreme burning pain of her quadriplegia required her to take heavy mixtures of pain medications that bring only short periods of relief. While Helen, Bobby, and Molly didn’t choose these fiery trials, they share the miracle of the Israelites in this story: the power of God’s constant presence.
God is with us in the fire
When King Nebuchadnezzar looked into the blazing furnace, he saw not three people but four! The Most High God walked beside Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, which caused the king to declare in amazement, “There is no other god who can rescue like this!” (3:29). God used the brave faith of these three young Hebrews to change the heart of a cruel king.
When we bear witness to Christ’s presence in our trials and sufferings, people’s hearts will be changed. Others will be astounded by our steadfast faith in God and by God’s sustaining grace. We can claim God’s promise from Isaiah 43:2, “When you walk through the fire of oppression, you will not be burned up; the flames will not consume you.”