In the second chapter of Daniel, we find the story of Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego and how God saved them from the fiery furnace.
King Nebuchadnezzar made a 60-foot image covered with gold. He told all his people that when they hear the music of drums, cymbals, flutes and strings that they must fall down and worship the statue.
He noticed that the three were not worshipping when the gongs sounded. He had them brought before him and questioned them. They said they would not grovel in front of the golden statue.
He threatened them, “Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego, If you do not worship at the sound of the music, I will have you thrown into a fiery furnace.” They still refused.
They told the king that God would bring them through it. Even if He did not, all would be well with them. They put their trust in God.
The king ordered his soldiers to fire up the furnace and make it much hotter than usual. He ordered strong men to bind the three men. The soldiers carried them up and threw them in. It was so hot that the king’s men died.
Soon, four men walked out of the furnace. Not a hair of their heads was singed. Their clothes were intact and they did not even smell like smoke. The only thing that burned was the ropes that bound them. The fourth man was an angel of God who kept them safe for standing up for their beliefs.
King Nebuchadnezzar knew that their God was the true God. "Then Nebuchadnezzar spoke, and said, Blessed be the God of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, who hath sent his angel, and delivered his servants that trusted in him, and have changed the king's word, and yielded their bodies, that they might not serve nor worship any god, except their own God."
When you are a Christian, you might not get thrown into a blazing furnace. But, you are bound to feel the heat of hatred, ridicule, name-calling or other types of persecution. Your God can protect you from the heat. Just trust him.
Quote from King James Bible
Public Domain Image-No attribution required.
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